Early talent
engagement


Our Work with the Community

Education

We understand the importance of equipping students with the skills to enjoy and engage with STEM fields at an early age. We are proud to work with schools throughout the UK to cultivate the technologists of tomorrow, supporting our purpose of creating and inspiring exciting careers that shape our digital future.

Some of our work has included:

  • Partnership with The Harris Federation providing a tailored programme to allow children to experience the commercial enviroment of FDM
  • Regular insight days in our offices for groups of school children
  • Coding workshops to give children an insight into a career in tech using innovative programmes such as Sonic Pi
  • Deliver Careers Lab sessions in schools, bringing business insight to equip young people with the inspiration, knowledge and skills they need to succeed
  • Sponsorship of the Digital Skills category at the TeenTech Awards since 2017

Harris Federation Case Study

a group of high school students posing with f.d.m.'s diversity team.

Our partnership:

FDM identified the good work that the Harris Federation are doing, changing the lives of students and giving them a chance to fulfil their potential. The Harris Federation today educates 1 in 44 school students in and around London, with 95% of their secondary academies being judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. FDM London has built relationships with several of the Harris Secondary academies in local areas since 2016 to support our commitment to social mobility. Our vision at FDM is to kick-start exciting careers that shape our digital future and through our partnership we are able to showcase the endless opportunities available in technology.

Engagement:

In 2017 we invited several secondary students from Harris Bromley Girls into our academy to do Sonic Pi coding in celebration of Girls in ICT Day. In the summer of 2018, we had three Harris students work within our IT Development team for work experience, supporting the revamp of our website. Since 2016, our World of Work day programme offers students an insight into the corporate world: learning about career opportunities, practical tools to be more work ready as well as encouraging their coding skills to support their curriculum learning. Partnering with the Harris Federation to inspire the next generation of digital talent is an important part of our future talent pipeline and to encourage everyone, regardless of background, to take their first step into a successful career in the digital world.

Teen Tech Case Study

two f.d.m. colleagues standing on stage with two school girls collecting an award at the Teen Tech Awards

 

Our Partnership:

FDM has sponsored the Digital Skills category at the TeenTech Awards since 2016, with CEO Rod Flavell attending the Awards. TeenTech is a community interest company which aims to demonstrate the wealth of opportunities available in STEM to the next generation. TeenTech targets secondary school students across the UK to channel their creativity. The organisation has the long term objective of closing the skills gap, bringing students into contact with industry leading experts with the hope that the lasting relationships can be created. Our involvement with TeenTech supports our purpose of inspiring exciting careers in the digital sector and developing our future talent pipeline.

The TeenTech Awards:

The awards programme was established in 2012 and strives to challenge secondary school students to create innovative solutions to real world problems through the application of science and technology. Student teams are encouraged to use their imagination to create an idea that can transform the world. The students are given a list of industry contacts such as FDM who motivate and mentor students. The winners of the Digital Skills category are invited into FDM offices to showcase their ideas to senior directors and further develop their idea.

Leeds City Partnership

Colleagues from F.D.M. Leeds and school boys operating radio controled robots as part of a UK wide school’s engagement programme

Our Partnership:

In 2018, FDM Leeds launched its partnership with Leeds City Academy, as part of our UK wide school’s engagement programme, to support the regions in which we operate and the local communities that we interact with. Leeds City Academy is a local secondary school with a diverse student population, where for 67% of students English is their second language and 24% are pupil premium.

Engagement:

We have delivered World of Work days for year 9 business students who got to meet FDMers from all areas of the business learning professional skills and practical advice on becoming work ready. Students got an insight into cyber security and how to use the internet along with their mobile devices safely. The relationship with the Leeds City Academy will help improve the employment prospects of local students and inspire the next generation of digital talent.

 

If you would like to know more about the work we do with communities and schools please get in touch.

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