The challenge
Professional Services businesses, and in particular consulting firms, have long been seen as out of reach for many university learners, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This perceived lack of opportunity for diverse young people has created significant challenges for these businesses as they attempt to diversify their workforces.
In addition, due to the type of work, and the academic rigour required to hold specific roles in these sorts of organisations, other programmes typically used to support social mobility i.e. apprenticeships, are not appropriate in every instance.
Finally, with the rise of mega organisations such as Accenture (700,000 employees worldwide), smaller businesses find it difficult to recruit the right talent due to lack of brand recognition.
FTI Consulting recognised these challenges and decided they needed to do something both to support students and the business.
We would not have been able to create this initiative without Blackbullion. This concept is still so new in the UK, so it was imperative that we had a partner that deeply understood the market and could guide us with expertise and information that comes directly from the young people that we wanted to help.
The objectives
- Provide meaningful financial and employability support to a young person who genuinely needs and deserves it
- Demonstrate commitment to the company’s wider DE&I and CSR strategies through taking direct action to support a diverse young person
- Build a more diverse talent pipeline for the Economic & Financial Consulting (EFC) team
The solution
FTI Consulting created a scholarship of £7,000 per year for a 3-year university course in a STEM subject.
Alongside the generous financial grant, their selected scholar also receives mentorship throughout his university experience, and two internship opportunities during the summers between his studies.
This wraparound support provides their scholar with an exceptional experience and has created a wonderfully positive connection between him and the business.
I had never heard of FTI Consulting before I started this process. But, now having had some experience with them, I see them as a business that is really focused on social responsibility. The fact that they have created a scholarship makes me feel like they are a business that wants to innovate, and really wants to be at the forefront of their field.
