Organisers hail BPS Birmingham Professional Services Week a success

FRESH moves to get Birmingham schools more involved with the city’s professional services sector have been hailed a success.

The first ever BPS Birmingham Professional Services Week saw more than 250 Year 9 pupils from various schools attend a series of skills sessions in the offices of several firms.

The objective of the initiative, created by BPS Birmingham, was to demystify the sector and to inspire young people to consider a career in business and professional services.

A range of city schools participated in the week’s activities. Hodge Hill School took part in a business walk that saw a cohort visit Deloitte in Brindleyplace and Irwin Mitchell’s office in Temple Street.

Bordesley Green School were hosted by Lloyds Banking Group and Brewin Dolphin.

Year 9+ pupils from Washwood Heath and Balham Wood Schools were hosted by Deloitte, Gowling WLG and Barclays. Other firms taking part and offering an insight into their work included GBR Phoenix Beard, HSBC, Wesleyan and Grant Thornton.

In all, more than 20 schools took part in the week including Saltley School, Ark Boulton Academy and Handsworth Wood School.

Professional Services Week is part of an on- going response to the resourcing and skills challenges that the sector faces as it continues to grow. It is anticipated that the sector will see growth of 30% by 2030 and that will create a further 60,000 jobs.

Organisers said that with talented young people now being able to choose locations across the world to start their careers, it was vital their home city created a strong impression.

Professional Services Week was a partnership between BPS Birmingham and its headline partner Deloitte and educational providers Greater Birmingham Professional Services Academy, Birmingham Education Partnership, Ahead Partnership, The Access Project and wider stakeholders such as CSR City.

A detailed evaluation will now take place to inform both the content and scope of the 2017 Professional Services Week.