Empowering futures: How Rise supports KS3 and KS4 students across the UK

In today’s dynamic world, it’s crucial we equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

Yet, too often, young people in underserved communities face barriers that limit their potential. That’s where Rise comes in.

Rise is a unique initiative, led by ICAEW and supported by more than 40 businesses and professional services firms. Our shared vision is to empower young people (aged 11–16) with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life and work, particularly those in social mobility cold spots across the UK.

Why is Rise supporting KS3 & KS4 students?

Rise recognises the importance of early intervention and sustained support throughout secondary education. We offer targeted support to help students make more informed decisions about their future pathways, ensuring they are equipped for the world of work and build a strong base for future success.

“Individuals will not reap the benefits of their education without strong basic and essential skills, regardless of social advantage.”

Skills Builder – Essential Skills Tracker 2023

How does Rise address the challenges faced by students and teachers?

We understand the challenges faced by both students and teachers in preparing for the world of work.

Students grapple with skills gaps, socioeconomic disparities, mismatched expectations, a lack of confidence, and the critical need for relevant work experience. Simultaneously, teachers contend with curriculum limitations, insufficient resources and funding, heavy workloads, and difficulties in effectively embedding and assessing employability skills.

Rise addresses these issues by:

• Delivering impactful workshops: Our free curriculum-linked workshops, set within a business context, focus on developing transferable skills that contribute to social mobility. These workshops are informed by industry insights and supported by volunteers from a range of professional backgrounds, providing invaluable real-world knowledge and insights.
• Providing access to resources: We offer free school resources that can be delivered independently to help students explore different career paths and develop their skills. Since their release in 2024, over 7,000 KS3 and KS4 school resources have been downloaded, demonstrating the need for and value of these materials.
• Building confidence: Our programmes are designed to boost students’ confidence in their abilities and help them articulate their strengths. As one student from Northfleet School for Girls said, “This workshop has given me insight into interviews, what employers would require of you as an interviewee and how you can stand out from others.”

How can Rise directly support students’ employability skills?

• Broadening horizons: We increase students’ awareness and understanding of different skills, careers, industries and employers.
• Highlighting the importance of skills beyond grades: We reinforce the message that employers look for more than just academic achievements and that students are already developing a wide range of valuable skills.
• Tackling social mobility cold spots: We actively target underserved areas, including rural and coastal regions, to address the challenges of limited access to professional services and opportunities.

What impact has Rise had so far?

The impact is clear. Since its inception in 2021, Rise has:

• Reached 109,000 students
• Delivered 641 workshops across the UK, with over 30% occurring in rural and coastal areas
• Inspired over 1,500 passionate volunteers to register and support our workshops
• Recorded over 7,000 downloads of our free career-themed and curriculum-based resources

Teachers consistently express their gratitude for the initiative, with one teacher from Charles Read Academy stating that Rise provided their students with “an excellent insight into the world of work and the kinds of skills they will need to use in the workplace”.

Join the Rise community

Rise is more than just an initiative; it’s a community united in purpose. By working together, we can break down barriers, create opportunities, and empower young people to achieve their full potential.

We invite you to explore our resources, get involved, and join us in building a brighter future for all students.