EY Foundation
Smart Futures
Full-time
Student
The Company
What is Smart Futures?
Smart Futures is a programme which includes paid work experience, interactive employability skills training and mentoring for those in Year 12 or S5 in Scotland. The Smart Futures programme is supported by a range of different employers to suit different career ambitions and will help you develop key skills that are essential in the workplace.
The Smart Futures programme is run across many different locations in the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
What does the Smart Futures programme involve?
On the Smart Futures programme, you will:
Get real experience of the working world and take part in paid work experience with one of our employer partners, during the school holidays. Take a look at some of the companies you could be working with here
Benefit from up to two weeks of employability skills training and interactive workshops, including team-building introductory sessions where you will meet other young people on the programme
Have a mentor who will support you throughout the programme and beyond, advising you on your first steps into professional working life or university
Be invited to a series of alumni events as part of our 'Limitless Series', throughout your final year at school or college
Learn about different industries, organisations and working environments
Gain a wide variety of transferable skills to give you a head start in your career
Have opportunities to practice your networking skills
The Role
Choosing the right programme for you
The Smart Futures programme is supported by EY and a range of other employer partners across the UK. We offer some industry-specific programmes which offer tailored work-experience opportunities and insight into particular industries and sectors; however it doesn't matter if you don't know exactly what career you would like to go into, all of our Smart Futures programmes will give you a great experience of the world of work and will teach you lots of transferrable skills.
All of the programmes below provide participants with paid work experience and employability skills training alongside the support of a business mentor.
Know which sector programme you're interested in? See all our programme dates and locations and apply here.
Roles & Responsibilities
Qualifications & Experience
Can I be part of the Smart Futures programme?
To apply, you must be:
Eligible for free school meals at any time in the last two years. You can see if you are eligible using this tool
Or
Eligible for a college bursary or Education Maintenance Allowance
Plus
In Year 12 (England) or Fifth Year (Scotland) and 16 or 17 years of age during the duration of the programme
Attending a state school
Achieved a minimum of an English Language Grade 4 or English Functional Skills Level 2*
Studying any combination of A-level/International Baccalaureate/BTEC Level 3s/National 5/Highers
Ambitious and motivated to learn about the world of work
Looking for great paid work experience in the school holidays that will help you secure a job after school, or a place at university
*For Smart Futures Business & Finance, applicants require;
A minimum of Grade 6 in GCSE Maths for London based programmes or a minimum of Grade 5 in GCSE Maths for all other locations
On track for 112 UCAS points with their top 3 A Levels/5 Highers
Candidates also need to have a strong interest in applying for a high level/degree apprenticeship at the end of school/college
*If you live in Newcastle there is no GCSE English Language or English Functional Skills criteria for any of our relevant Smart Futures (North / Newcastle based) programmes.