A TRIO of globally recognised companies operating in the north – Allstate NI, EY and Herbert Smith Freehills - have come together to organise a ‘virtual parents evening’ series which will look at the future world of work and explore potential pathways to employment for young people.
The ‘Your Child, Their Future’ series kicks off on Tuesday August 11 and will be delivered by leading professionals from the three companies who are also parents.
It seeks to help parents begin discussions with their children on career aspirations and how they can plan for this at the earliest possible stage.
The economic situation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has illuminated the need to address the significant skills gaps in the Northern Ireland economy and provide rewarding career opportunities for the future.
And it is hoped that participation in this event will entice parents to consider alternative careers which might not have been considered.
The world of work has been radically altered with remote working the norm currently. Despite the challenges these three companies have led from the front to meet the needs of business and staff alike. It has never been more important to adapt and learn for future growth.
Companies need the staff with the key skills for the future to succeed and it is hoped that through this series, young people will consider a potential career in these sectors.
Allstate NI, EY and Herbert Smith Freehills, between them employing more than 3,000 people in Northern Ireland, represent three diverse sectors of the region's economy, bringing together renowned expertise in the IT, legal and professional services.
Suzi Murtagh, a director at Allstate Northern Ireland, said: “We're thrilled to be collaborating with other leading businesses here to provide parents with a unique opportunity to consider and plan ahead for their child’s future. There is no doubt this is a challenging and worrying time for students and parents alike and it is important that businesses lead from the front at this time.”
“As experienced leaders and parents in business, we collectively felt it was important that we shared our view on what the skills of the future are in a way that might make parents think differently about potential careers for their children.
“It is often the case that parents don’t quite realise the potential offered by a career in tech or by companies such as our own and this will be an excellent opportunity to get that message out there.”
Michael Hall, managing partner and head of alliances for UK and Ireland at EY Northern Ireland, said: “Our experience over the last number of months will fundamentally alter how work operates into the future and will create opportunities for a broader range of roles and skills than existed before.
“EY plays an active role in equipping our workforce with the skills they need to excel and build a better working world into the future. We do this through ongoing investment in upskilling our people, and through a huge focus on our graduate programme, so our involvement with ‘Your Child, Their Future’ is a natural fit for our firm.”
Lyn Harris, director, EMEA & New York and disputes – alternative legal services at Herbert Smith Freehills added: “As a parent myself, I'm always keen to hear from other leading businesses on what career opportunities may be available to my son in the future.”
“I started my career following the traditional path into law, but my career trajectory changed as technology and digitisation made a significant impact on the practice of law. Join us in conversation on August 11 and learn about the types of career opportunities that exist within a global law firm, you will be pleasantly surprised!”
:: To register for the event visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-child-their-future-tickets-112481392874
