An Untapped Resource: secondary school alumni supporting young people into decent employment

Our programmes (and research) have demonstrated significant potential for an alumni network approach to supporting young people into decent employment. As relatable role models, mentors and providers of work experience... [ view full abstract ]

Our programmes (and research) have demonstrated significant potential for an alumni network approach to supporting young people into decent employment.

As relatable role models, mentors and providers of work experience placements, non-profit, Future First, has found that secondary school alumni can have a transformative effect on the aspirations, motivation and even the employability of a young person. While the alumni network approach to employment opportunities is not uncommon at university level or at elite secondary schools, is it under exploited in the public secondary education sector.

Our research study, sponsored by The Open Society Foundations, found that 52% of adults across 9 countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, would be willing to give back to their old secondary schools, but that less than 2% had done so to date. It also confirmed that while young people largely seek careers advice from their parents - reinforcing a narrow view of the jobs market – across all regions, the students polled were eager to have the support of their school alumni in making further education and careers decisions.

In Kenya, alumni-led careers days, assemblies and workshops at 15 schools in a pilot Future First programme have been rated highly by 99% of students and teachers involved. 96% of students at one pilot school felt that the support of alumni made them want to work harder at school.

Join us in a discussion around the potential role for alumni volunteers supporting young people into decent employment globally.