27th January 2025 Opening doors for students in Wales
The Talent Foundry and KPMG Opening Doors to Opportunities in Cardiff
Students in Cardiff developed their workplace skills and explored exciting career opportunities through the Opening Doors to Opportunities initiative developed in partnership between social mobility charity, The Talent Foundry, and global professional services firm, KPMG.
The interactive workshops, hosted in KPMG’s Cardiff offices, and delivered by The Talent Foundry’s team of facilitators, helps students from underserved communities develop core transferable skills. Students tackle real-world client briefs, present ideas and are challenged to find new ways to solve problems.
This month (22 January 2025), 38 Year 12 students from Fitzalan High School and Pencoed Comprehensive School took part in the programme, gaining valuable skills, such as practicing pitching and working in teams.
Students were also supported by KPMG employees, who shared their career pathways, and insights into their day-to-day responsibilities. Connecting with industry role models is a key part of The Talent Foundry approach, giving students tailored careers advice, as they begin to look at their options after school.
Since launching the programme in 2023, ‘Opening Doors to Opportunities’ workshops around the country have been met with overwhelming positivity.
Over the 2023-24 academic year, 100% of teachers rated the workshops either good or excellent, commenting that students felt more confident in their own skills and for their future.
The Talent Foundry breaks down barriers to success for young people, by exposing them to career pathways they might not have considered. Working on the principle that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see,’ they partner with organisations across a wide range of industries, including professional services, rail, construction, healthcare, tech and more.
Working together to support the creation and delivery of programmes for young people, KPMG is well positioned to support and inspire the next generation of professionals.
With 20 offices spread around the UK, including in Cardiff, the international organisation – with clients including Sky, Shell, AstraZeneca amongst many other household names – provide an array of professional services, meaning there is something for every young person to get excited about.
David Williams, KPMG UK South West Office Senior Partner, said:
“At KPMG, we’re passionate about supporting Cardiff’s young people to develop the skills they will need for future careers.
“Through our partnership with The Talent Foundry, we host students in our offices helping them gain practical skills and crucial experience of a real workplace- we know there’s a big role for businesses to play in making that happen. I encourage all schools to participate in this fantastic programme.
“I have seen first-hand how engaged young people are in learning about the workplace, when I recently had the privilege of speaking to over 1,500 primary school students in Cardiff as part of the Cardiff Commitment. We gave them greater understanding into our organisation, jobs available to them and skills employers such as KPMG require.”
Jenni Anderson, The Talent Foundry Chief Executive, said:
“Our partnership with KPMG continues to inspire young people around the country, and we are thrilled to be able to expand our work in Cardiff, and throughout Wales. By offering our workshops in all areas of the country, we can help the next generation develop their skills and confidence to succeed and thrive in whatever they choose to do for their futures.”
About KPMG
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 20 offices across the UK with approximately 18,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.96 billion in the year ended 30 September 2023.
KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. It operates in 143 countries and territories with more than 273,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.