Henrik's Big Conversation

Henrik Andersen was one of 100 chief executives who met with 100 young people yesterday as part of Business in the Community’s ‘The Big Conversation’.  The 100 CEO’s pledged to improve dramatically the work experience their companies offer over half a million young people every year.  The Big Conversation is part of Backing Young Britain, a campaign launched to ensure that every young person received the help they need to find a job or get training or work skills and experience.

Henrik said “The success of the UK is dependent on the future workforce.  The Big Conversation is the start of a national business-led movement to get employers across the country to improve the work experience they offer. We already have some good work experience schemes in place (such as the Real Apprentice scheme Jim Hayes runs with the East London Business Alliance) and I have pledged that ISS UK will provide more work experience and do it even better.”

Steve Workman, Head of Corporate Responsibility attended the day long event and stated "It became obvious during the day that young people want a structured approach to work experience with objectives set at the start, ongoing feedback during and a review at the end of the placement. We recognise that young people need a safe controlled environment in which to develop social skills and build their confidence and sense of self value through purposeful and challenging work experiences. Therefore we need to ensure that work experience placements at ISS are structured in a professional way if we are to attract the calibre of young people we need to deliver continued business successes." 

Click here to find out more about ‘Turning Work Experience into Work Inspiration’.