Champion Round-Up | By Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a growing number of headlines highlighting the rise in young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), alongside the challenges many school and college leavers face when trying to take their first steps into the workplace.
For businesses, it’s easy to focus on the immediate challenges in front of us – economic uncertainty, rising costs, skills shortages and increasing regulatory demands. However, if we want a strong, resilient business in the years ahead, we also need to think about where the next generation of talent will come from.
At Champion, we’ve long believed that investing in young people isn’t simply the right thing to do; it’s essential for the long-term success of our business and our profession.
This summer, we’ll welcome another cohort of trainees across our offices, continuing a commitment that has been part of Champion’s culture for decades. These individuals join us at the very start of their careers, bringing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and ambition. In return, we provide the training, support and opportunities needed to help them build successful and rewarding careers with us.
Many of our senior leaders, including several of our directors, originally joined Champion as trainees themselves, and their journeys are a reminder that investing in potential today can create the business leaders of tomorrow.
Of course, every organisation’s approach will look different. But whether through apprenticeships, trainee programmes, work experience opportunities or partnerships with local schools and colleges, there are many ways businesses can play a role in supporting young people into meaningful employment. The benefits are not only felt by the individuals involved, but by the wider economy and business community too.
As we prepare to welcome our latest intake of trainees this summer, it’s a reminder that investing in people today is one of the most valuable investments any business can make for tomorrow.
