Supporting the next generation through our partnership with Career Ready
Creating opportunities for young people
At ITP by Haskoning, we believe that creating positive impact extends beyond the projects we deliver. Through our partnership with Career Ready, we are helping local young people develop the confidence, skills and workplace experience they need to unlock future career opportunities.
Career Ready is a national social mobility charity that supports underrepresented sixth form and college students as they prepare for the transition from education into employment. Our involvement began in 2023, alongside SEGRO's support for launching a new East Midlands branch of the programme, and has since grown into a long-term commitment to mentoring, employability skills development, workplace experiences and paid internships.
By sharing our expertise, opening our workplaces and investing time in young people, we aim to support social mobility while helping students gain valuable insight into the world of work. The programme aligns closely with Haskoning's purpose of Enhancing Society Together, creating positive impact within the communities where we live and work while helping to inspire the next generation of talent.
At ITP, we believe that creating positive impact extends beyond the projects we deliver for our clients
Supporting students through mentoring
One of the foundations of our partnership with Career Ready is mentoring. Each year, members of our team volunteer as mentors, providing one-to-one support to students over a 12-month period.
These mentoring relationships help young people develop confidence, build professional networks and gain a better understanding of potential career pathways. Through regular meetings, mentors provide guidance on topics such as CV writing, interview preparation, further education opportunities and workplace expectations.
The impact of these conversations often extends far beyond practical employability advice. For many students, it is their first opportunity to engage directly with professionals and gain insight into a working environment they may not otherwise experience. By sharing personal career journeys and lessons learned along the way, mentors help students broaden their aspirations and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Over the past four years, we’ve contributed approximately 140 hours of mentoring support, demonstrating a sustained commitment to helping local young people prepare for their future careers.
Bringing career skills into the classroom
Alongside mentoring, our team regularly works with students in schools and colleges through employability-focused workshops and skills sessions.
This year we delivered a Success at Interviews masterclass to 100 sixth form students at Pingle Academy. The session provided practical guidance on interview techniques, professional communication, workplace expectations and career progression, helping students build confidence ahead of future applications and interviews.
For many of the students attending, the session offered an opportunity to ask questions about career options, workplace culture and the skills employers value most. Activities such as these allow us to reach large groups of students and contribute to skills development at an important point in their educational journey. By combining practical advice with real-world experiences, we help students feel more informed and better prepared for the transition from education into employment.
Opening our doors through workplace visits
Providing students with direct exposure to professional workplaces is another important part of our support for the Career Ready programme.
Earlier this year, colleagues from our Peterborough office welcomed Year 12 students for a workplace visit designed to introduce them to careers within the built environment sector. The event gave students the opportunity to see a professional consultancy environment first-hand and meet colleagues from across the business.
Students took part in a presentation introducing Haskoning and the built environment before participating in a collaborative challenge to design and build a sustainable community building. The exercise encouraged teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and project management skills while demonstrating how professionals work together to deliver successful projects.
The visit also included practical employability support covering CV writing, job applications, professional communication and resilience when seeking employment. Students were able to hear directly from colleagues about their career journeys and gain a better understanding of the diverse range of opportunities available across consultancy, engineering, planning and sustainability.
Providing meaningful work experience
In addition to mentoring and careers education, ITP has hosted a paid Career Ready intern every summer since 2023.
These placements provide students with genuine workplace experience and the opportunity to contribute to live projects while working alongside professional teams. Interns have supported a wide variety of activities, from transport emissions modelling and data analysis to public engagement, marketing initiatives and travel behaviour projects.
By taking part in real project work, interns gain practical experience that helps them develop both technical and transferable skills. They also gain exposure to the day-to-day realities of professional consultancy, helping them make informed decisions about future education and career pathways.
To ensure each student gets the most from their placement, interns are provided with the equipment, systems access and support needed to thrive, along with dedicated supervisors and workplace buddies.
Collectively, ITP has provided 11 weeks, equivalent to 55 days, of paid work experience through the programme, helping students gain valuable insight into professional careers while building their confidence and skills.
Creating lasting social value
Our partnership with Career Ready demonstrates how businesses can create meaningful social value by investing in the communities they serve.
By combining mentoring, employability skills development, workplace visits and paid internships, we are helping young people broaden their horizons, build confidence and gain practical experience that supports their future ambitions. At the same time, the programme provides our colleagues with a rewarding opportunity to share their knowledge, support social mobility and contribute to positive community outcomes.
These activities are a tangible example of Haskoning's commitment to Enhancing Society Together, creating positive impact beyond the projects we deliver and supporting opportunities for future generations.
We are incredibly proud of everyone involved in the programme and look forward to continuing our partnership with Career Ready, helping more young people develop the skills, confidence and aspirations they need to succeed in their future careers.
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