Softer skills essential for successful career – Kate Munday

Stonehage Fleming works with Envision to help young people develop vital life skills for the modern working world

Stonehage Fleming are partners of Envision, supporting local secondary school students as business mentors through the ‘Community-Apprenticeship Programme’. It is hugely beneficial for the students and staff alike, according to Kate Munday, Global Head of HR at Stonehage Fleming. “Employees have the opportunity to engage with young people, helping them to foster the softer skills essential for a successful career”, she told guests at the Envision ‘Meaningful Employer Engagement’ panel in London last week. “It’s a hugely rewarding experience; we have employees’ queueing up to be involved”, she said.

Developing attributes like confidence, tenacity and determination is a journey which continues throughout our careers and lives, explained Kate: “Businesses are looking for wider character behaviours and skills from employees, beyond academic results. We therefore have a responsibility to help prepare young people for the modern working world”.

According to Gatsby, who provide guidelines to define career provision in secondary schools, a young person who has four or more ‘meaningful’ encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education and can earn up to 22% more during their career.

When it comes to being ‘meaningful’, employer engagement should have a clear purpose both for the young people and businesses involved. “You need to add value for both sides and that involves a lot of preparation. Ensure there is a structure and your goals are measurable – that’s when you will have most impact” said Kate. “Not only has working on the community apprentice programme enabled employees to give something meaningful back, it has allowed our emerging talent to develop their own communications skills and confidence. It’s a win-win.”

Envision aims to develop young people’s employability through social action. Stonehage Fleming has been a partner of the charity since 2017. 30 staff members in London have volunteered on the programme, supporting over 50 community-apprentices from local academies and comprehensive schools.