Yorkshire Building Society Immersion Days
With under 25s making up 34% of Bradford’s population, Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) sees real value in supporting local young people, by preparing learners for the world of work and increasing their understanding of different sectors and opportunities.
As a result, YBS supports many of the district’s students with a Work Immersion Day. Using refurbished office space on Rooley Lane, learners are given a day filled with improving their understanding of work, and the skills needed in many careers, not just a career in banking services. Learners received a guided tour of the head office site, listened to a careers panel that showcased a wide range of job roles available at YBS, plus a carousel of activities to introduce young people to a range of topics including what employers want, problem solving, customer service and what to expect in the job market.
For many Bradford young people, they will have passed the YBS building so many times and wondered what happens behind the walls. Now, learners can share with others what really goes on and what skills the employees must have to do their job successfully. They have listened to the personal career journeys of many YBS employees, many of whom are Bradford born and bred.
During the 2024/25 academic year, the first year of the Immersion Days, YBS engaged with 392 Bradford young people. The statistics below show the great success and impact of the Immersion Days:
- 92% - Understand what types of jobs exist within a building society
- 79% - Know what skills employers are looking for
- 47% - Feel they have improved their employability skills and experience
- 71% - Feel more able to analyse a situation or task & develop a plan to improve it
- 73% - Feel more confident to communicate with and work with others to achieve a task
- 84% - Understand there are different ways to get into a career/work
- 71% - Feel more positive towards YBS because of taking part in this programme
Now at the beginning of the second year of Immersion Days, it's great that over 650 students have already booked to attend an event in this academic year.