Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, is marking the second anniversary of its award-winning work experience programme by welcoming 48 Year 12 and 13 students from Chelmsford and the surrounding area to its city centre office. It has also revealed that more than a third (36 percent) of this year’s apprenticeship roles, across the UK, have been filled by students who previously took part in the nationwide programme.
Launched in 2023, Aon’s Work Insights Programme was established to provide greater access to young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to careers in financial and professional services. Aon aims to recruit 50 percent of its apprentices through the programme.
At the event in Chelmsford, students from Beauchamps High School and Sixth Form College, Brentwood County High School, Colchester Sixth Form College, Epping St John’s School, King Edward VI Grammar School Chelmsford, Mayflower High School, Plume Academy, Roding Valley Sixth Form, Southend High School for Boys, St Martin’s School, St Thomas More High School, Tabor Academy, The Appleton School, The Bromfords School and Sixth Form College, The King Edmund School, The Sandon School Sixth Form, USP College and the William de Ferrers School met with current Aon apprentices, graduates and colleagues and took part in a series of real workplace challenges.
Phil Sartain, early careers talent acquisition leader at Aon, said:
“Creating pathways into the professional services industry for students from all backgrounds is a priority for Aon, so it’s rewarding to see that a third of this year’s apprentices attended the Work Insights Programme.
“The enthusiasm and potential we’ve seen from Chelmsford students reinforces why opportunities like this are so essential to building a more inclusive workforce.”
Feranmi Ayileka participated in the three-day Work Insights Programme and said: “I really enjoyed the chance to hear directly from staff and recent graduates about their career journeys and experiences. Their advice on CV building, alongside learning more about the insurance industry, was very valuable to me.”
Marie Goldman, MP for Chelmsford, joined the students on the final of their three days at Aon.
She said: “It was a pleasure to attend Aon’s Work Insights day in Chelmsford recently. It is great to see a firm like Aon running this programme to give young people an insight into the working world.
“Many young people miss out on such opportunities because they don’t have the right contacts or family connections, and I was especially encouraged to see such a diverse group of students present. I was also pleased to talk to them about my work as the Chelmsford MP and I wish them every success in their future careers.”
