Making the Leap
Story of Impact: Making the Leap helps young people turn potential into opportunity
IICF’s latest Story of Impact features Making the Leap, a charity working to improve social mobility by helping young people access and succeed in professional careers.
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. For many young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, access to professional careers remains limited—not because of a lack of ability or ambition, but because they may not have the networks, guidance or opportunities that others take for granted.
The scale of the wider challenge is underlined by the independent Young people and work: interim report, led by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn. The Milburn Report highlights the barriers affecting young people’s transition into employment, including weakened entry-level routes, unequal access to careers guidance and insufficient exposure to the workplace. It also stresses the importance of coordinated support from employers, charities, education providers and government.
Building skills, confidence and connections
With support from IICF, Making the Leap is delivering its Future Leaders Ambassador Programme for young people aged 18–25.
The programme helps participants build the skills, confidence and professional networks they need to pursue their ambitions and make a successful transition into the workplace. Participants benefit from:
- Career-focused masterclasses, developing essential employability and professional skills.
- Mentoring and coaching, offering guidance, encouragement and insight into different career pathways.
- Access to professional networks, connecting participants with employers, role models and opportunities.
By combining practical career preparation with personalised support and meaningful connections, the programme helps bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
Creating lasting impact
Through this initiative:
- 20 young people will gain the skills and confidence to pursue their career ambitions.
- Participants will build lasting motivation, professional networks and access to opportunities.
- Employers will benefit from a broader, more diverse and inclusive talent pipeline.
Programmes such as this demonstrate what can be achieved when young people receive the right support at the right time. By unlocking potential and widening access to professional careers, Making the Leap is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce.
IICF is proud to support Making the Leap and its work to transform access to opportunity for young people.
