Setting young people up for success

Career Catalyst

Despite improved educational outcomes, many young people still face significant barriers to securing their first professional role. Youth unemployment remains high*, and access to opportunities is often influenced by factors such as socioeconomic background, professional networks and exposure to the workplace. At the same time, rapid changes in the labour market, including the rise of AI, are changing career pathways and increasing the importance of adaptability, resilience and strong interpersonal skills.

In October 2024, we launched the Career Catalyst programme to help unemployed and underemployed young adults break into a professional career path. The programme focuses on developing skills across four key areas of success: building a strong personal brand, interview preparation, building networks, and pitching with confidence.

Over six months, participants attend four in‑person workshops and receive tailored 1:1 coaching, supported by Investec volunteers.

*Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Labour market overview, UK (latest available data), showing the unemployment rate for 16–24-year-olds.

In FY2026, 163 Investec volunteers collectively contributed 232 hours to the Career Catalyst programme, helping young adults strengthen their soft skills, build confidence, and move closer to their career goals.

Since partnering with Arrival in 2008, Investec has helped support 2,854 young people on their journey into employment through employability and skills-based programmes.

Since the inception of the programme 35% of participants have gone into finding full time employment.

After being made redundant, Yinka completed Career Catalyst and secured three job offers within eight weeks, and accepted a role in Recruitment.

Participants have described the programme as transformative:

"It’s a life-changing experience that pushes you to grow, improve existing skills, and gain new ones. The programme provides invaluable opportunities to meet people who can help you understand the career path you’re considering and expand your network" – Career Catalyst participant

“Just seeing her with this new confidence and how she is working towards achieving goals, makes me feel so proud. I think seeing the value you have added to someone's life was such a nice thing to see” – Investec volunteer coach

Money Matters Academy

Financial literacy remains a significant challenge for many young people, with low levels of confidence and limited practical money-management experience affecting their ability to plan for the future. Research shows that 82% of young people want to learn more about money and finance in school, highlighting the demand for practical financial education.*

In 2025 we piloted the Money Matters Academy in partnership with the Set Them Up Foundation (STUF), to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop good money habits and work towards long‑term financial independence.

As part of the pilot, 20 students from Morpeth School and Newham Sixth Form took part in two 120‑minute workshops, delivered at our London office. The sessions focused on building better money habits, improving financial decision‑making, and helping students understand the practical steps involved in achieving future financial independence.

*Source: London Foundation for Banking & Finance, Young Persons' Money Index 2023/24.

Participants highlighted the value of the programme:

“They need to teach this in schools so all children can learn how to manage their finances” - Money Matters Academy participant