Santander supports Government Social Mobility Scheme
12 January 2012
Santander has today become a signatory to the Business Compact, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's flagship scheme to create fair employment opportunities for young people from all areas of society.
Simon Lloyd, HR Director, Santander UK explains: "We aim to provide a great service to our customers and believe that a key element of this is a workforce that reflects the communities where our branches and business centres are based.
"Through the Business Compact we are highlighting to prospective employees that we are committed to offering great jobs to people from all backgrounds."
More than one hundred of Britain's biggest companies and top professional groups have signed the Business Compact, committing them to making entry into their professions fairer.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: "This is an important step towards a society where it's what you know, not who you know, that counts. Working with the Coalition, the biggest hitters in Britain's business world are helping lead the way to a fairer, more open society.
"By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift at the heart of British business, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege. I'd like to thank Santander for signing up to the Business Compact. Today's success makes me even more ambitious. This great news is just the beginning - I will be doing everything I can to bring even more businesses on board."
Santander has launched an 'Early in Career' scheme which aims to provide fair opportunities to everyone interested in a career with the bank and looking to fulfil their potential through a structured development experience.
Work experience and job opportunities are advertised with key organisations such as the Aim Higher Foundation and the Financial Skills Partnership to ensure individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are made aware of roles at the bank.
Santander also works with Career Academies UK, a charity running programmes in schools/colleges, predominantly in urban areas of social need, for 16 to 19 year olds at risk of becoming unemployed. Through a three year partnership, Santander is working with nine schools to support young people through finance academies. Students follow a two-year programme which aims to give them real life experiences of the workplace, alongside a curriculum equivalent to at least three A-levels. In 2012, 46 school students will gain supervised, paid work experience as part of the scheme with Santander, boosting their employability.