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The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Firms urged to back working-class talent as £19billion growth lost annually
DO you believe the only way is up – and that you can land a better job than your parents? Today is Social Mobility Day and a chance to chase that dream. 3 It highlights the companies and charities helping working-class people to climb the career ladder and build life opportunities. But with a challenging economic climate and AI taking over many entry-level professional roles, times are tough. Last year the Institute for Fiscal Studies said social mobility at work was its worst for 50 years, while a report from think tank Demos and the Co-Op found this is setting back economic growth by £19billion a year — and so reducing tax revenue too. Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of the Co-op, said: 'This is an important moment in the UK's productivity debate and puts social mobility at the heart of that discussion. The benefits are too great an economic prospect to ignore.' With many organisations cutting back on diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, championing talent from less advantaged backgrounds has never been more vital. Consultants McKinsey suggest organisations that are more socio-economically diverse can outperform rivals by as much as 36 per cent — so it makes sound business sense too. Tunde Banjoko OBE, from the charity Making The Leap, which organises Social Mobility Day, is urging firms to 'shift mindsets' and look at the benefits of a more varied workforce. Career fairs He says: 'Social mobility is about investing in a breadth of perspectives and skills, giving firms an edge and empowering individuals from less advantaged backgrounds to overcome imposter syndrome.' Here are Making The Leap's tips to rocket-launch your upwardly mobile career . . . 1. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH 1. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH: Start expanding yours. Go to career fairs, your local Jobcentre Plus or skills organisations such as Making The Leap. Everything you need to know about the latest minimum wage changes Also tap into family and friends if they can provide help and advice — or perhaps know who might be able to. 2. IF YOU DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE, GET IT: Reach out to volunteer organisations, as well as charity shops and volunteer websites. 3. UPSKILL YOURSELF: Practise public-speaking and presenting — even just reading things out to your family can help to build confidence. 4. DON'T WAIT, DO IT: Want to get into marketing or content creation? Set up a TikTok profile. Want to do make-up? Start doing make-up now. 5. THE 'STAR' METHOD: If working on a job application or preparing for an interview, always think: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Also give examples that are not just work-related — and know your CV like the back of your hand. 6. GET RID OF ANY SELF-LIMITING BELIEFS: You are worthy — and deserve to be in the room. HOW AIMING FOR SKY HAS PAID OFF JOSHUA RUDDOCK landed his dream job as a football social media journalist at broadcaster Sky, thanks to help from social-mobility charity Making The Leap. Joshua, 23, from Ealing, West London, said: 'So many people would assume a job at a place like Sky would be inaccessible to them, so they wouldn't even apply. 'I had applied twice before, but taking Making The Leap's ACE training programme, and their first-class support on a daily basis, led me to an apprenticeship at Paramount, which gave me critical experience to reapply to Sky. 'Without Making The Leap, I wouldn't have been at Sky this soon. 'To encourage more social mobility, we need to make sure companies are offering information, work experience and time to people from every background. 'Not only will this help open doors for more people to chase their dreams, it also increases talent levels.' HELPING OUT CAN HELP YOU IT'S National Volunteering Week and an opportunity to champion a good cause while also boosting your career. More than three in five firms offer staff ways to help in the community but last year over 140million hours' worth of placements were unfilled, says the Royal Voluntary Service. 3 DR SAM PARRETT is founder of a site encouraging volunteering in further-education colleges. Here she tells why volunteering can boost your job prospects . . . 1. IMPROVE YOUR CV: Volunteering shows employers you are proactive and committed. It can give you experience of the workplace and make your CV stand out, especially if you are starting out in employment or wanting to change careers 2. BUILD SKILLS: It develops communication and team-work, valued by all employers. Even just supporting a neighbour or helping at your child's school is valuable. 3. GROW YOUR CONFIDENCE: Trying something new and being part of a team can boost self-esteem. This will help prepare you for interviews and networking in future. 4. MAKE CONNECTIONS: You will meet people of all ages and walks of life, which can open doors to both training and jobs. 5. SHOW WHAT YOU STAND FOR: Employers want people with purpose, and volunteers tick that box. 6. BOOST MENTAL HEALTH: Helping others can leave you feeling less stressed, and happier about life. JOB SPOT PETROL station operator BP RETAIL has jobs on offer nationwide, including for assistant store managers and customer service assistants. See JOBS FOR THE TOTS A NURSERY childcare chain is offering work experience to TODDLERS – after a new report revealed the qualities employers value most such as trustworthiness, adaptability and teamwork, can be learnt from the very early years. The Your Co-op Little Pioneers programme sees little ones help with caring for animals at Hoo Zoo in Telford, Shrops, and with welcoming visitors to Warwick Castle. Bethany Patrick from Your Co-op Little Pioneers says: 'Early-years education is so much more than just childcare. 'Research shows the importance of skills developed during those formative years, including empathy, communication and teamwork, for ensuring the strongest start in life.' JOB SPOT GAMING chain GAME is recruiting for sales assistants, including casual staff, plus buyers. Search at HAPPY GO CLUCKY FRIED chicken is the UK's fastest growing food market, worth £ a year – and KFC is creating 7,000 new jobs, with major new investment in restaurants and suppliers. They are looking for kitchen workers, restaurant managers, and front-of-house staff to improve customer experience. 3 All new starters will benefit from training and development opportunities to support fast career progression. Rob Swain, head of KFC UK & Ireland, said: 'We've been serving customers in the UK for 60 years but have never seen such strong demand as there is today. 'That's why we're doubling down with major investment.' For more information, and to apply, see
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Northwest Iowa schools receive STEM grants
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A couple of northwest Iowa school districts received grants from the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and the State Department of Education to expand career-connected opportunities for students this summer. Storm Lake and Harlan Community School District were awarded up to $20,000 each. Students ranging in grades 4th through 12th in Storm Lake can take part in innovative work-based learning courses. Harlan students can participate in multiple career exploration sessions and an in-depth experience highlighting STEM, depending on the grade level they're in. State officials say a total of more than $200,000 was awarded to 12 STEM BEST Program model partner schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The five highest-paying jobs with no experience required
The job market is entering a tricky era. Uncertainty about the future, higher employer National Insurance contributions and increased wage bills mean many firms are either cutting back on staff, or at least pausing plans to expand their workforce. This is difficult enough for skilled workers with experience, but for anyone who's just starting out – or perhaps those who want to make a career swap – it may seem as though there are very few options, and all of them low-paid. However, that's not necessarily the case. James Neave, head of data science at job-matching platform Adzuna, said: 'There's a surprising number of roles out there that don't require a degree, apprenticeship or prior experience. Some, such as executive assistant, audit assistant – and even door installer – are paying more than £40,000. 'Many of these roles offer on-the-job training, giving you a chance to explore your interests and strengths before committing to a long-term career.' Good grades, it seems, no longer define your future. At the same time, we are seeing a shift from experience-based hiring to skills-based hiring – giving workers the chance to consider a range of roles they may not have previously thought about. Katie Elliott, an HR consultant, said: 'You don't need a long CV to land a decent salary, but you do need to show you're someone who will turn up, learn fast and crack on. Common sense and a great attitude will open more doors than a lengthy 'history of all my jobs ever' will.' Here, Telegraph Money reveals some of the lucrative careers that don't require experience, qualifications or training. The five highest-paying 'no experience' jobs The table below shows the list of jobs that pay more than the average UK salary of £37,500, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – and don't require any specific qualifications or training. Using data from Adzuna, this list was compiled from the number of advertised job ads in April specifically mentioning 'no experience required', and then by ranking those roles by average advertised salary. By 'no experience', Adzuna means roles that don't require any prior relevant working experience. As such, all the roles listed don't require a formal qualification, such as a degree, certification or apprenticeship. That said, Adzuna points out that employers may still expect certain basic skills. For example, audit assistant roles may call for proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong attention to detail, while all driver roles will require a valid UK licence. Executive assistant As the name suggests, these roles involve being an assistant to an executive – you'll need to be highly organised, as common tasks include scheduling meetings, preparing reports, sorting their logistics and handling communications. In simpler terms, you may find yourself having to book travel and hotels for business meetings, taking and relaying messages and making sure they never get double-booked. There are courses and qualifications that exist for these roles, but you can often learn on the job too. You'll need to have good IT skills and be able to navigate business software packages – such as email and calendar systems. Salaries range from £28,000 to £60,000 a year, according to the National Careers Service – but an executive assistant to the stars could earn much more. Door installer If your area of interest lies more in the trades you might want to think about door installation. Some of the key skills required for this role include patience, attention to detail and problem-solving. For many roles, you may also need a full UK driving licence. The work can be physical and might involve installing doors on new homes, repairing doors on older homes, as well as dealing with garage doors, fire doors and more. While you may find apprenticeships for these roles, you don't necessarily need one to start work, as you can also find entry-level jobs in door installation. One of the best ways to learn is on the job where you'll get the opportunity to work alongside established installers and gain real-life experience of the tools and materials required. Once you've got some experience, the key is to build on that – and hone your skills. Over time, you can hopefully become a professional door installer, and could earn closer to £50,000, and possibly more – especially if you end up running your own business. Audit assistant It is the role of an audit assistant to examine and evaluate the financial records of organisations – to check whether they are accurate, and whether they comply with financial regulations. You'll probably work closely with accountants and other financial professionals. You'll need to have good analytical and problem-solving skills, and be a stickler for detail. Top-notch verbal and written communication skills are key, too. Being proficient in Microsoft Office and spreadsheet software will be important, while understanding audit procedures and regulations would be helpful. There are no specific academic requirements, although professional qualifications are available from bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). You may be able to study for these through your employer once you're in the door. Salary offerings can vary, based on factors such as skills and geographic location, but you could earn north of £40,000. Equally, by taking up a role as an audit assistant you will gain experience in the financial industry. If you're ambitious, you can then potentially go on to work in other areas. Social media marketing assistant Roles in social media have soared in popularity, but in order to succeed you'll need to be clued up on the various platforms and able to do your job in a fast-paced environment. As a marketing assistant, you'll work closely with social media managers and marketing executives, and need to have a knack for creating engaging content. Day-to-day you are likely to be involved in carrying out market research, building brand awareness and working up social media strategies. You'll need top-notch writing skills, with an eye for the latest news and trends. While there are degrees for these roles, you can also learn on the job, with internships often turning into full-time roles. Land yourself the right role, and you could earn close to £40,000. Over time, you could – according to job site Indeed – get promoted to take on roles such as account executive, digital marketing specialist, marketing director or brand director. Climb your way up the career ladder and your earnings could increase considerably. Delivery driver If you hold a valid UK licence and have a good driving record, you could land a pretty well-paid job as a delivery driver, with the potential to earn almost £38,000 a year, according to Adzuna. While there are apprenticeships on offer, you can also apply directly. It may be useful to have experience in storage, working in a warehouse or other driving work. But crucially, you need to be happy with the idea of interacting with people and spending your days behind the wheel. Navigational skills and organisational skills will also come in handy. For a delivery driver role for a supermarket, such as Tesco, for example, you'll need tip-top customer service skills combined with the ability to be calm and collected. You'll also need to be clued up on health and safety protocols both in and out of the van. As the commercial sector has grown, there is a big call for delivery drivers, with lots of job opportunities related to this profession, including the likes of Royal Mail, UPS, Yodel and AO. How to get a high-paying job with no experience Don't underestimate your skills When you're job hunting and see a title you've not held before, you might assume there's no point in applying – but that's not always the case. 'Try to put the title aside and look at the job description for the skills. What skills do you have from parenting, volunteering, hobbies or past jobs, and how do these overlap with that description?' said Sam Kennedy Christian, a career coach at The Float Space, who supports parents navigating careers with young children. 'You need to determine your transferable skills,' agreed Emily Button-Lynham, a career and leadership coach. 'When I'm working with clients, I get them to summarise their most recent jobs, along with the key skills they used and developed. Examples of this may be problem-solving, project management or communicating to multiple stakeholders.' It may also be the case, she said, that even if a job description asks for specific experience, your skills and experience can still hit their list. Do your research Even if you have no experience when applying for a role, there's a lot to be said for being able to demonstrate just how much you want it – skills can be taught, but enthusiasm can be far more valuable. Ms Button-Lynham said: 'Try reading recent news articles about the industry and refer to these in your application or during the interview. See if you have a contact in the company you can speak to, or someone you know in that role that can share insights.' Get networking You might not think you have a 'network', but there are opportunities to make helpful contacts wherever you go. As well as contacting people you already know – old colleagues, family or friends who are in, or know people in, the industry you are interested in – it may be worth seeking out relevant events where you can make more connections. This could be talks, conferences or exhibitions, for example. 'Connect not only with potential contacts, but also people in your ideal role and company,' added Ms Button-Lynham. 'See if you can schedule coffee chats to find out more.' Attitude is key, according to Ms Elliott. 'My advice is to focus on what you bring to the table,' she said. 'Be clear about this, whether that's brilliant customer service, exceptional organisation skills or just good old-fashioned common sense.' Sort out your CV It may seem obvious, but the humble CV still plays an important role for recruiters. 'Tailor your CV to each role, keep it focused on relevant achievements,' said Ms Elliott. And, don't forget, your CV isn't just a piece of A4 any more – 'For goodness' sake, make sure your LinkedIn profile doesn't look like it was last updated in 2012,' she added. Natalie Ellis, managing director of Rebox HR, suggested using LinkedIn as a way to showcase yourself more than you can with a standard CV. 'If you are actively job-seeking, don't just use it to regurgitate your CV [on LinkedIn],' she said. 'Show some personality and highlight what makes you different. 'Employers are scrolling through dozens of profiles that all look the same, so it really doesn't hurt to stand out a bit.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Working moms say motherhood derailed their careers
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. In a survey of nearly 1,000 working moms, 87% said they've missed promotions or other opportunities due to becoming a parent, Zety's Motherhood & Work Impact Report revealed. Likewise, 90% said they adjusted their career trajectory due to parenthood. Working moms also face bias in the hiring process and stigma about motherhood, the report found; of those surveyed, 89% said they were asked about their parental status during either an interview or a review. A majority also said they thought their pregnancy was considered an inconvenience at work and that they needed to work harder than those without children to prove themselves. The survey results indicate that the adage 'you can't have it all' remains a reality for many working moms, who say they have had to 'mak[e] major career sacrifices just to stay afloat in a system that still penalizes parenting,' according to the report. 'Before motherhood even begins, women are bombarded with unsolicited advice and career warnings when it comes to starting families, signaling that parenthood and professional success are still seen as incompatible,' the report said. More than 3 in 4 working moms said they were explicitly told to put off having kids until they were more established in their career, and 82% said they were told that becoming a parent would hurt their career, the survey found. To that end, 77% of those surveyed said they were afraid to share news of their pregnancy with their boss or co-workers over fears about job security and negative reactions; only 58% said they felt supported by their employer after sharing their pregnancy news. The survey also revealed the stress on working mothers to be seen as available. Eighty-one percent of respondents said they were asked to cut their maternity leave short — or otherwise alter it — to benefit their employer, and 91% said they think women without children are seen as more committed and thus have an advantage at work. Beyond career setbacks, discrimination complaints are filed regularly by working mothers who are allegedly denied time or space to pump breastmilk at work, in violation of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act. In one case, a former Chipotle employee was allegedly told by a manager that the company's refusal to schedule her was partially tied to the better availability of employees who didn't need accommodations to pump or to store milk. 'It limits you even more,' the manager allegedly told the plaintiff. The majority of women said they feel like mothers are 'forgotten once the baby arrives,' according to a 2024 report by The Harris Poll on U.S. maternal health. Many reported barriers to accessing needed healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, with the top barrier being inability to take time off work or find childcare to be able to attend appointments. At the same time, when women are able to access and use health benefits, their attendance, retention and productivity at work can be positively affected, according to a November Integrated Benefit Institute report. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
