We are delighted to see 34 of our member firms listed in the Top 75 employers for social mobility revealed in the Social Mobility Employer Index yesterday. It was also encouraging to see that Law retained its place as the best-represented sector in 2023. The report includes a spotlight on PRIME member, Farrer and Co, who detail their work with PRIME and other organisations to support its attraction strategy.
The Social Mobility Employer Index highlights that barriers at the start of the employee journey prevent social mobility and may have a negative effect on the diversity of talent that employers can access during recruitment. All of our member firms are committed to improving access to the profession. We are delighted to see the recommendation that employers cover travel costs upfront in order to remove economic barriers, something that all of our member firms commit to when offering PRIME work experience.
The report puts a spotlight on the fact that one of the barriers employers face is being able to get into schools to offer opportunities to young people.
Alongside our PRIME work experience (which last year was attended by nearly 3,000 students), we are proud to be giving our member firms the opportunity to reach students in cold spot areas through the delivery of our virtual insight sessions.
Last academic year we reached over 400 students in 19 schools, in areas where a lack of opportunities and awareness of certain sectors, together with very little support, can prevent young people from pursuing viable career options. We will be continuing this project in 2023 – 2024 and look forward to reaching even more students, with our target being to deliver in 30 schools in cold spot areas.
PRIME Executive Chair, Elizabeth Robertson
