Social Mobility Business Partnership (SMBP)
On October 31st, 2024, as part of the Social Mobility Business Partnership (SMBP) Programme in the South West, Supacat and Law Firm Foot Anstey are joining forces to host a number of students at Supacat’s head office. This collaboration clearly demonstrates the unwavering commitment of both organisations to the SMBP programme and the students it supports, ensuring they have access to a wide range of career opportunities.
The SMBP programme is dedicated to supporting students from low-income backgrounds and helping them transition into the workforce. The event aims to develop workplace skills, provide valuable work insights such as industry trends, professional networking, and job application tips, and break down social barriers. The programme hopes to instil confidence in students and empower them to strive towards their career aspirations. This is a goal we can all be inspired by and work towards.
The SMBP charity, since its inauguration in 2014, has experienced remarkable growth, now supporting over 1,000 students nationally. This expansion is a testament to the programme’s success and its potential to reach even more students in the future. We have seen numerous success stories of students who, with the help of SMBP, have overcome social barriers and achieved their career aspirations. SMBP is growing its national footprint and aiming to increase the locations that host its programme.
Nicky Yeoman, Head of Marketing and Communications, said, “Supacat, a leading participant in the Social Mobility Business Partnership (SMBP) programme, is proud to be involved. This event allows us to demonstrate diverse career options and empower students to realise their potential in shaping their futures and pursuing their career aspirations”.
Alastair Nuttall, an Associate at Foot Anstey, commented, “This is our second year involved with SMBP, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact this programme has on the students. For Foot Anstey, it’s a chance to collaborate with other major local employers to break down barriers to a career in business for talented individuals.”
Student feedback
Students who participated previously in the SMBP programme shared overwhelmingly positive feedback:
- 99% said they now have a clearer idea of their future career goals.
- 92% stated they gained a better understanding of how businesses operate and what employers seek in candidates.
- 93% rated their understanding of career opportunities within participating organisations as “good” or “very good.”
- 93% said the programme improved their self-confidence.
A previous SMBP student Manisha Kumar said:
“SMBP is committed to continuing its mission of supporting social mobility by expanding its reach and offering life-changing opportunities to students in new areas, such as Plymouth.”
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About the registered charity the Social Mobility Business Partnership (SMBP)
SMBP is a volunteer-led initiative that collaborates with a wide range of businesses, professional services firms, and sports teams to provide students from low-income backgrounds with work experience and skills development opportunities.
From humble beginnings in London, where SMBP initially facilitated the delivery of 79 days of work insight and skills training with 14 businesses, it now facilitates over 3,330 days each year in all parts of the UK with over 200 businesses.
This collaborative effort starts with students spending a day at four different organisations engaging in business simulation activities and skills workshops. Their fifth day is spent at a professional sports club where students learn about the psychology of resilience and goal achievement models.
The SMBP alumni are then provided with lifetime access to the SMBP App which includes a career mentoring platform and rolling job opportunity notifications. SMBP’s pioneering group mentoring model (pooling mentors rather than creating a 1-to-1 experience) means SMBP alumni always have access to the advice they need, and mentors can regulate their input to fit around work and life demands.
Press contact
Nicky Yeoman, SC Group-Global Head of Marketing and Communications. E. [email protected]
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