January, 2025.
Designed to empower the next generation of young professionals, Springpod, a leader in virtual career experiences, has furthered its partnership with Barclays to launch a brand new Careers Hub. This new platform, now live atbarclays.springpod.com,offers young people a chance to engage with work-based learning experiences while gaining valuable insights into the wide array of careers available at Barclays.
The launch of this Careers Hub marks an important evolution in the ongoing collaboration between Springpod and Barclays. Since 2021, Springpod has delivered Barclays LifeSkills’ online programme, supporting over 30,000 young people and equipping them with essential skills for the workplace.. Keen to provide students with even more career-specific skills, both organisations have collaborated to create a series of virtual taster programmes, or ‘sprints’, covering four key areas at Barclays:
These are hosted alongside the existing LifeSkills work experience programme and a number of other resources to create a platform that not only educates but also offers practical experience.
A Deeper Learning Experience
At the heart of the new Careers Hub are the "sprints" - meticulously designed to introduce students to the diverse career opportunities within Barclays. What sets these sprints apart is their interactive, video-led format. Students are not just passive learners; they are actively engaged in tasks that mirror the daily responsibilities of professionals working in those specific areas.
Each sprint is guided by a mentor—an actual employee of Barclays—who sets students the task and delivers the model answer feedback once the student has completed it. This mentor-led approach ensures that students gain a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in their chosen field.
Pathways to Success
In addition to hands-on experience, the Hub offers detailed information on the different pathways into these roles, whether through university courses, apprenticeships, or other educational routes. This guidance is crucial for students as they map out their future careers, providing clarity on the steps needed to achieve their goals.
The development of the Skills and Employability Hub is closely aligned with Barclays' broader Early Careers strategy. By providing young people with access to real-world experience and insights into the banking and finance industry, Barclays is fostering a pipeline of future talent that is well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
Commenting on the partnership, Sam Hyams, CEO of Springpod, said:
"We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Barclays through the launch of this new Careers Hub. By leveraging our expertise in virtual career experiences, we are providing young people with tangible skills and a deeper understanding of the diverse opportunities available at Barclays. This initiative is perfectly aligned with our mission to empower the next generation to make informed decisions about their futures."
Richard Irwin, Head of Global Early Careers at Barclays, added:
"Here at Barclays, we have been perfecting our Apprenticeship programmes for over a decade, and we’re extremely proud of the variety and depth of opportunities we offer. We know that deciding on what to do after school or college, can be overwhelming for many young people. Through innovative and immersive experiences via Springpod, we are equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to decide if an apprenticeship is the right choice for them. The expansion of our partnership further supports our ambitions to help young people fulfil their potential and achieve their career aspirations.”
The new Careers Hub is designed to be a customisable learning experience, allowing students to explore careers at their own pace while receiving personalised guidance from industry professionals. This initiative represents a significant milestone in Barclays’ commitment to fostering talent and providing meaningful career pathways for young people.
About Springpod:
Springpod is an award-winning platform that empowers students to demonstrate their potential through work-based learning experiences and join the best-fitting employers & universities. These interactive experiences enable young people to develop skills, increase their knowledge and make informed decisions about their future, be that heading into work, an apprenticeship or further education and gives partners the ability to reach, engage and impact young talent.
About Barclays:
Our vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. We are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients, and communities.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daisy Rowan
Head of Marketing
Springpod
daisyrowan@springpod.com
George Shorrock
Group Media Relations Manager
Barclays
george.shorrock@barclays.com