Unlocking career opportunities for talented young people

Our goal is: equal access to professional jobs for young people, regardless of socio-economic background or geography.

We seek out future focussed, academically talented Year 12 students, largely from social mobility cold spots, who may not have access to ‘the bank of mum and dad’ or family connections – and we propel their careers. By offering an ongoing programme to introduce students to relevant professions, The Talent Tap helps enable them to secure placements and future employment.

The Talent Tap UK registered charity No. 1183124

The Talent Tap formula is simple:

Over a sustained period, we provide young people from low socio-economic backgrounds city based work experience, networking opportunities and workplace knowledge, giving them the proven tools, support and capital they need to achieve their potential.

Through our volunteer network we deliver a future driven mentoring programme and consistently listen and work with our Alumni to re-evaluate the support we offer and ensure it meets their needs.

3 key areas of support

The Talent Tap Programme is open to students from Year 12 and provides support throughout their time in higher education and into employment. All young people are given the opportunity to fully participate in the programme’s ‘Three Key Stages of Support’:

Inspire

(Year 12-13)

  • Regular future-focused, career based interactive webinars
  • Interview experience
  • Targeted advice on university applications and decisions
  • Bursary scheme for university visits
  • Peer to peer Mentoring scheme to support applications

Experience

(University)

  • Annual 2 week residential programmes
  • Structured, career focused work experience, provided by corporate partners
  • Confidence building workshops
  • Public speaking training 
  • Networking sessions with business leaders
  • Social and cultural experiences
  • Flash Mentoring
  • Wellbeing support

Access

(Future)

  • CV support
  • Interview technique training
  • Personal statement critique
  • Access to professional internship opportunities
  • Introductions
  • Sustained Mentoring programme
  • Alumini network

Confidence

“The barriers can be subtle. It’s when you hold yourself back from applying for a role because you make assumptions about the ‘type’ of people that fit in at the organisation. It’s when you feel out of place because you have never been abroad for holidays. Or it’s when you don’t think you can ask for training or progression opportunities.”

Sandra Wallace Social Mobility Commissioner and Managing Director at DLA Piper

As well as advocating for change within organisations, we hope that our students’ experiences of the workplace and during ‘down time’ on the programme, will break down self-imposed barriers, allowing them to feel confident and worthy of a place within a corporate environment.

The Programme has:

Given me new tools and opportunities for networking: 98%
Given me more self confidence about what I can achieve: 77%
Made me feel more inspired about my future than I did before: 80%
Gained new skills that I can use to access employment: 71%
gained new insights into different career areas: 78%
Given me a greater general understanding of the workplace: 73%

According to responses from our 2021 programme where students 'strongly' agreed with the statement.

The Talent Tap is a high performing charity making a real difference to the lives of young people.

0 %
is the increase in student numbers taking part in The Talent Tap last year.
0
is the number of students who have been reached by Zoominar in 2021.
0 %
of students stay with the programme for more than 3 years.
0 %
of Alumni felt strongly that they have been given the tools for 'real life' networking.

“The most valuable experience I have gained towards my future career.”

— KARN HOLLIS | TTT ALUMNI 2018-19