Bentley Motors in Crewe has partnered with social mobility charity Speakers for Schools to deliver “virtual” work experiences for more than 500 young people.
The work experience opportunities, available to students across the UK with an interest in STEM topics, focus on areas from Engineering to Digital.
They are being supported by colleagues from Bentley’s diversity and inclusion networks, as part of its Early Careers outreach programme.
It aims to encourage more girls and students from ethnic minorities to consider careers in the motor industry.
During the most recent work experience session on digital skills, colleagues from Bentley challenged the students to design their “car of the future”.
The winning design was submitted by Year 13 student, Yen Li from Torquay Girls Grammar School.
Tom Russell, Bentley’s Early Careers Manager, said: “The advantage of our virtual work experience programme is that although we are based in Crewe, Cheshire, with the help of Speakers for Schools, we’ve been able to extend opportunities to students from across the country.
“In our first session, we were able to share insights into automotive and careers at Bentley, with students as far away as Cumbria and Torquay.
“Early Careers outreach is a key part of our diversity and inclusion programme as we aim to highlight the huge range of opportunities within our sector to an increasingly wider range of people – with the goals of filling our future talent pipelines with more diverse candidates in the long-term.
“Yen’s engagement with our Insight programme – and her winning car design – is a fantastic example of how we’ve been able to connect with a student who may not have previously considered Bentley, but who has the potential to excel in our industry.”
Jason Elsom, CEO of Speakers for Schools, said: “Since March 2020, Speakers for Schools has offered an engaging, virtual platform for young people to access eye-opening career experience.
“This has become all the more important as the pandemic has slowed in-person work experience opportunities and young people have been prevented from exploring new career paths or connecting directly with employers.
“We are delighted to see top employers like Bentley Motors on board with Speakers for Schools and joining our mission to end educational inequality.
“We hope more employers join our virtual work experience programme and more schools sign up to broaden the horizons of young people across the UK.”
Schools, parents and employers can find out more about the 500 places available at www.speakers4schools.org
Find out more information about Bentley’s Early Career programmes here.
