22nd May 2024 Numeracy skills opens doors for young people

Students from West Calder High School in West Lothian joined KPMG in the UK’s Chief Executive for a numeracy-themed Opening Doors workshop this month.

Jon Holt, Chief Executive and Senior Partner of KPMG in the UK, met the Year 9 students in the KPMG Edinburgh office to help them practice their interview skills and learn about the different types of tax for life and work.

Students had the chance to interview Jon and KPMG volunteers about their approach to teamwork, motivation and identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Arleen Arnott, Head of Financial Services Scotland and Edinburgh Office Senior Partner then led a series of tours at the Edinburgh office for students to meet colleagues from different parts of the business.

Students taking part in the session said:

I learnt about how tax is paid and how KPMG works ‘behind the scenes.'

I have learnt what an accountant does and the type of work they do, as at first I thought accounting is just to do with maths.

I found out all about the different career routes I could use to get here.

Jenni Anderson, Chief Executive at The Talent Foundry took part in the workshop, and said:

“We pass by these buildings in our towns and cities every day, but often have no idea as to what jobs people are doing behind the glass. You are even less likely to have a good idea if you don’t have anyone from a professional background in your family or friendship group.

“This is why Opening Doors to Opportunities is such an important initiative for the students we work with. They hear about the diverse and exciting careers available at KPMG and return to the classroom with enthusiasm about what their future holds.

"These opportunities give them the confidence that their talent and skills is what employers are looking for.”

The World of Work visit gave students the opportunity to develop their core transferable skills such communication, problem-solving and thinking creatively.

The 90-minute skills session, developed to support National Numeracy Day on 22 May, enabled discussions around what tax is, where it is spent, and the role companies like KPMG have in consulting, advising and auditing companies and individuals.

Thank you to KPMG volunteers Dexter Amos, Calum Duthie, Demi McIntyre-Yates and Nathan Bartell for supporting the visit.

Opening Doors to Opportunities is a new KPMG corporate responsibility initiative which invites schools into KPMG offices across the UK, as part of a new commitment to give one million young people the opportunity to develop their skills by 2030.

The Talent Foundry and KPMG is working together to deliver Opening Doors, WorkReady and the Rise programmes, supporting young people to develop key employability skills through in-school workshops.

To book one of our KPMG workshops visit our Programme Pages.