The Talent Foundry

02/10/2026

Most of us are going to be working for at least forty years, so how do young people decide on a career path that’s right for them? What’s more important to employers, your grades or your attitude and the skills you’ve developed?

In the second episode of The Confidence Conversation, a series designed to help young people build confidence in money, work and life after school, our hosts Precious, Haaris and Luke reflect on the different routes they took into their current careers, what influenced their decision, and what qualities helped them stand out.

If you know a young person currently weighing up whether to go to university, apply for a job or an apprenticeship, share the video with them and help start the conversation.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/1XgYuXYZ_4c?si=4qVsy5dcfOsOilso

In episode 2 of The Confidence Conversation, our podcast series wit...

30/09/2026

Laying tracks for the next generation 🚄

Volunteering, for RSSB.Rail Sustainable Rail Specialist Libby Pollard, was a rewarding experience. She believes that making sure students have the knowledge and skills required to succeed is important for everyone’s futures.

Volunteering gives you the chance to make a tangible impact, and can have a profound difference on both young people and personal and professional development. Her advice?

“Definitely give it a go. It could be a pivotal moment for both you and the young people you are supporting. Making sure these students have as much knowledge as physically possible and have all the doors open is important for all our futures.”

🧡Interested in volunteering on our rail programmes? Get in touch: [email protected]

🔗Read the full story here: https://www.talentfoundry.org.uk/impact_stories/story.php?id=laying-tracks-for-the-next-gener-18

29/09/2026

250 miles. 4 cities. 3 days of Italian sun. All in support of social mobility.

A massive congratulations and thank you to everyone who completed the epic Milan-Bologna Cycle Challenge 2026. What an achievement!

Not only did the weather look favourably upon the peloton, but the views of piazzas and countryside truly delivered. Every rider made it over the finish line, with those new to long days in the saddle deserving especially huge kudos!

Fuelled by tiramisu, camaraderie and beautiful weather, the peloton set out from Milan, weaving through Parma and Verona before reaching Bologna. Every mile cycled helped fund opportunities to open doors for young people, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

30 incredible cyclists took part from the Department for Education, Reds10, Mott MacDonald, Nexus Associates, Wates Group, Galliford Try and Salesforce. With thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Morgan Sindall Construction and our Gold Sponsors BAM UK & Ireland and Willmott Dixon.

Thank you so much to everyone who took part and supported the ride! 🧡

🔗It’s not too late to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ttfmilan2bologna2026?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL

25/09/2026

And they’re off! 🚴

Today marks the start of the Milan-Bologna Cycle Challenge 2026 and will see our riders pedal from Milan to Parma, commencing an epic 260-mile challenge in support of social mobility.

Tomorrow the peloton will head out from Parma in search of Verona, with the final day leading from Verona to Bologna. Each day will bring a new opportunity to support our mission and open doors for young people.

With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, it’s crucial that we work together to build a fairer future. Our programmes bridge the gap between education and the world of work, helping young people build the skills, confidence and networks needed to succeed in the workplace.

30 incredible cyclists are taking part from the Department for Education, Reds10, Mott MacDonald, Nexus Associates, Wates Group, Galliford Try and Salesforce. With thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Morgan Sindall Construction and our Gold Sponsors BAM UK & Ireland and Willmott Dixon.

Buona fortuna! Good luck, team! 🍀

🔗It’s not too late to support the challenge: https://lnkd.in/eFTWD_jj

23/09/2026

We’re excited to be attending the Charity Times Awards 2026 tonight, where our partnership with Dell Technologies has been shortlisted for the Corporate National Partnership Champion award. This marks the fourth consecutive year of recognition for our collaborative work supporting social mobility.

Over 14 years, our partnership has helped young people living in under-served communities to build essential digital skills, connect with STEM role models and access meaningful employability opportunities. Dell Technologies volunteers have also raised more than £150,000 through fundraising challenges, demonstrating the power of combining volunteering, fundraising and expertise to create lasting impact.

Today also marks the start of another year of the Dell Technologies Powering Potential programme. Sparks will be flying across the North East and West as young people develop the skills and confidence required to thrive in today’s ever-changing world of work.

Here’s to another year of our successful partnership 🥂

21/09/2026

Good luck to the incredible peloton cycling from Milan to Bologna 🍀

This weekend, our riders will be tackling a huge challenge – cycling 260 miles from Milan to Bologna. Their support will help open doors for young people living in under-served communities across the UK and provide access to life-changing opportunities.

Right now, there are nearly one million young people not in education, employment or further education. Young people deserve a future to look forward to – and establishing the right foundation of skills, confidence and networks is how we bridge the gap between education and the world of work.

Cyclists are taking part from the Department for Education, Reds10, Mott MacDonald, Nexus Associates, Wates Group, Galliford Try and Salesforce - we're looking forward to our biggest challenge yet.

With thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Morgan Sindall Construction and our Gold Sponsors BAM UK and Ireland and Willmott Dixon.

🧡It’s not too late to support the team: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ttfmilan2bologna2026

17/09/2026

Opening minds and opening doors🧡

Amanda Jacob, Deputy Head at E-ACT Royton & Crompton, recommends Rise, an ICAEW social mobility initiative that helps students raise their aspirations and develop key skills.

The workshops help her students broaden their horizons and build professional networks, sparking lightbulb moments that enable them to gain confidence and make plans for the future. They learn how to behave professionally, and the activities help them both in school and beyond.

🔗Read the full story on our website: https://www.talentfoundry.org.uk/impact_stories/story.php?id=-17

16/09/2026

Financial education podcast launch 🌟

We’re excited to be sharing the first video in our Financial Education series with M&G, covering pensions. Pensions probably aren’t something that young people talk about often, but investing early is key to financial security in later life.

Investing for the future might not seem like a priority when a career is just starting, but getting a head start is crucial. 45% of the workforce is not actively contributing to their pension, so whether we’re talking workplace pensions, private pensions or state pensions, having conversations like these is key.

"There’s something powerful about pensions and investments that means that you can get more money later on.”

Our Skills for Life programme with M&G helps young people to develop their money skills and confidence, ensuring that they can make confident decisions about their finances. We’re proud to be helping build a fairer future.

🎙️ Listen to the whole episode to find out more: https://youtu.be/oFbmT3gSMBg?si=zFXY2q_0lNQcSIFx
🗣️ Share this post with the young people in your network who might not know that putting pennies in the bank now is key to financial stability later on.

15/09/2026

Building skills for a future students can confidently choose 🧡

Charlene Steele from Ark St Alban’s Academy in Birmingham recommends the Rise programme (an ICAEW social mobility initiative). The workshops give her students hope and aspiration, helping them feel seen and represented.

Rise helps Charlene’s students to become well-rounded individuals, boosting them in their journey from education to the workplace and helping her school to reach key Gatsby benchmarks.

“The workshops have been so beneficial and have empowered our careers programme, elevating it in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.”

🔗Read the full story here: https://www.talentfoundry.org.uk/impact_stories/story.php?id=broadening-horizons-through-mean-16

14/09/2026

Keeping the social mobility wheels spinning 🚴

We caught up with Clive Hodgeman, DfE Framework Lead at BAM UK and Ireland to discuss BAM’s sponsorship of our upcoming Milan to Bologna Cycle Challenge.

Clive talked about the link between the education environment and pupil performance and behaviour, and about wider social value. Supporting our social mobility vision is a big part of this, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have Clive and his colleagues Alan Newland, Simon Ward and Nick Howdle on board for a second year.

Clive is looking forward to the team spirit and camaraderie of another challenging ride – and is proud to have BAM on board as a Gold sponsor this year.

🔗Read the full story and support the team: https://www.talentfoundry.org.uk/news/story.php?id=keeping-the-social-mobility-whee-1413