Founding Partner:
Shoosmiths

The partnership between JS Group and Shoosmiths is a positive step towards increasing the diversity of the graduate workforce and providing more opportunities for students from low socio-economic backgrounds. The project has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of these students and help them achieve their full potential.

Shoosmiths are partnering to break down the barriers to good graduate employment for university students from low socio-economic backgrounds. The project aims to understand how large corporates can reach these students at scale and in a way that is different from traditional graduate recruitment processes. It will also facilitate a deeper and more impactful relationship between employers and under-represented groups in the graduate workforce.

The JS Group works with over 400,000 students across 30 UK HE partners, the majority of whom are from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Here are some specific examples of how the partnership is working to break down barriers to good graduate employment:

• Providing financial literacy workshops to help students learn how to manage their money and make informed financial decisions.

• Offering mentoring and support programs to help students develop their skills and confidence.

• Connecting students with employers who are committed to diversity and inclusion.

• Advocating for changes to the graduate recruitment process to make it more accessible to all students.

The partnership is still in its early stages, but it has already made a positive impact on the lives of many students. The project is a model for how other organizations can work to create a more equitable and inclusive graduate workforce.