Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has welcomed 39 year 12 and 13 students from Chelmsford and the surrounding area to its office on Glebe Road, as part of its commitment to improve the access that young people from lower-socio economic backgrounds have to careers within financial and professional services.
Since its launch in 2023, Aon’s Work Insights Programme has won the Institute of Student Employers Award for Best Work Experience, Internship or Placement Programme (2024), and the 2024 Insurance Times Award for Diversity and Inclusion Excellence. The programme has grown yearly, with 1400 students participating in the first two years.
Students at the event in Chelmsford had the opportunity to meet with Aon colleagues and participate in real workplace challenges, speed networking, CV and interview skills workshops, and panel discussions on career pathways. The programme’s alignment to the Gatsby Benchmarks (a framework for good career guidance provision in schools and colleges) also enabled them to engage with current Aon apprentices and graduates.
Chris Goss, head of the Chelmsford office for Aon, said:
“Now in its third year, our Work Insights Programme is a proven way we can reach more students from disadvantaged backgrounds and provide them with insight into careers within professional and financial services.
“Last year, 24 percent of all new Aon apprentices were alumni from our Work Insights Programme, proving this is a pipeline of exceptional talent to fuel our future growth. Our aim is to double this over the coming years.
“The students we welcomed in Chelmsford showed genuine interest and participated enthusiastically in all activities. It’s a credit to their schools and we hope to see some of them return to join us as apprentices or graduates in the future.”
Millie Chart, from The Bromfords School participated in the three-day Work Insights Programme, commented:
“I really enjoyed learning about Aon and the opportunities they have to offer. I have been able to create a network of friends on the way and I fully recommend taking up this opportunity of work experience to anyone in year 12 or 13”
Schools that participated in the initiative included St Thomas More, Southend; The Appleton School; The Basildon Upper Academy Sixth Form; The Billericay School; The Brentwood County High School; The Bromfords School; The King Edmund School; The Sandon School Sixth Form; The Sixth Form Colchester; Thurstable Sixth Form College; West Hatch High School; Witham Sixth Form (New Rickstones Academy).
