Urban Synergy Celebrates Record Number of Young People Participating in Work Experience Program
London, UK – Urban Synergy, a social mobility and youth empowerment charity, is celebrating a successful year of helping young people gain valuable work experience at leading organizations. This year, the charity saw a record number of mentees (young people who have been through the Urban Synergy program) participate in work experience opportunities at prestigious companies such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Dynamic Planner, HS2, ITN, Legal & General, London Stock Exchange Group, M&G, PwC, UK Power Networks (UKPN), and WTW.
The charity’s founder and CEO, Leila Thomas, reflected on her own experience with work experience, stating, “I remember vividly doing work experience at Reuters, a company I ended up working at later on in my career. Work experience helped me get into my career. Having some work experience can make you stand out from the crowd on applications for courses, training, and jobs.”
Thomas emphasizes the importance of work experience as a lever for social mobility, stating, “But what is the value of work experience, and why is it so important it’s a lever for social mobility rather than family privilege?” She quotes Careers and Enterprise, stating, “High quality work experience helps young people get ready for the world of work. When integrated into a structured careers programme – as defined by the Gatsby Benchmarks, work experience: Increases awareness of jobs and pathways like apprenticeships, builds confidence in key skills like speaking and listening, and reduces the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) at 16 and 18.”
Semere Estifanos, Urban Synergy’s Work Experience Lead, further explains the benefits of work experience for young people, stating, “Gaining work experience as a young person is valuable for several reasons. It helps build both technical and soft skills, allows exploration of different fields and roles, provides opportunities to network with professionals for future opportunities, enhances employability by showing practical experience, boosts confidence through responsibility and independence, and teaches workplace norms and culture. Overall, it prepares young people for future employment and career success.”
Thomas expresses her gratitude to the charity’s corporate partners, stating, “My thanks go to all our corporate partners, and especially to WTW, UKPN, and Dynamic Planner, who were able to pay their interns. We make sure we support our mentees with expenses such as bus fares, appropriate clothing, and lunch money – if it’s what will make the difference between doing work experience or not.”
Urban Synergy’s work experience program not only provides valuable opportunities for young people but also helps them develop the skills and confidence necessary for a successful future. “It’s inspiring to see young people take charge of their futures by seeking out work experiences,” says Estifanos. “Their initiative in gaining real-world skills and exposure to different industries shows a level of maturity and ambition that’s truly commendable. Watching them actively pursue these opportunities gives me confidence that they’re not just planning for the future—they’re already shaping it.”
As the charity continues to expand and provide more opportunities for young people, they encourage individuals and organizations to donate and partner with them to help empower the next generation. “Dress for success is an old adage, but looking confident for your first day in the workplace is an honor and a privilege that we can all embrace,” says Thomas.
For more information on Urban Synergy and how to get involved, please visit their website at https://pressat.co.uk/.
