Professionals from all backgrounds on the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to help inspire the next generation of talent by volunteering on an Isle of Wight Council-backed platform.

Inspiring the Future is a platform that directly connects working professionals with staff at schools and colleges, allowing for talks, activities and workplace experiences to be arranged so that young people can hear first-hand about what different industries are really like.

Talks can often include volunteers speaking about their own career journeys, explaining how they got into their roles and therefore opening children’s eyes to the many working pathways available to them.

In classrooms, young people can speak directly to local professionals and have meaningful interactions, which are much more powerful than online information or career videos.

The Isle of Wight Council and Solent Careers Hub are now encouraging more professionals and schools alike to sign up to the free platform that works across all age groups, from early years to post-16.

Councillor Paul Brading, chair of the children’s services, education and skills committee, said: “The influence a working professional could have on a young person cannot be understated.

“Children could be inspired by a volunteer, and that could change their entire aspirations and career path. Whether it be career talks or even just CV support, pairing the right volunteer with the right child could absolutely change their life.

“We’d love to see as many professionals as possible getting involved and supporting the next generation of workers.”

Volunteers, schools and college can sign up here: Home – Inspiring The Future

They can also reach out to their local Careers Hub to connect with educational institutions at solent.careers@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or ekine.fernandezlane@iow.gov.uk

All volunteers are expected to follow the safeguarding policies and rules as per each visiting school, as well as the Volunteer Code of Conduct and terms and conditions they agree to when signing up.

Only staff are allowed to sign up to the platform and create events to connect with volunteers, so there should be no contact with children at any stage on the platform itself.

Island businesses of all sizes could also benefit from a free online self-assessment tool developed by the Careers and Enterprise Company that helps employers improve how they engage with young people and the education sector.

The Employer Standards Frameworks takes around 25 minutes to complete and gives businesses immediate recommendations and resources to improve their approach to engaging with young people.

Employers can then compare their framework scores against other businesses in their region or sector.

Danielle Anderson, HR and admin manager of Johnson Electric, said: “I found the Employer Standards tool extremely valuable, especially for businesses not yet fully engaged in supporting young people.

“It’s clear, easy to navigate, and the final report is particularly useful.

“While the range of initiatives can feel overwhelming at first, every contribution makes a real difference to young Island people and our future talent pool.

“I’d strongly encourage other Island businesses to try the tool and see how even small steps can have a meaningful impact.”

Businesses can sign up here: Home – CEC Employer Portal

Evidence from the latest Employer Standards report shows that businesses who engage strategically in careers education see clear benefits, which include stronger talent pipelines, reduced recruitment costs and greater early careers diversity.

The report can be read here: Employer Standards 2024/25 – The business case for engaging in careers education | The Careers and Enterprise Company