upReach Impact Report - Flipbook - Page 4
An Overview of upReach
In the UK, top professions tend to be occupied disproportionately by individuals from more
privileged background.1
Since 2010, the gap between the rates of most and least-advantaged English school pupils
entering HE has reduced by 26.4%.2 However, levelling the playing field when it comes to degree
attainment has not translated into equal access to top graduate jobs. In fact, amongst Russell
Group universities, students from working-class backgrounds who graduate with a first class
degree still remain less likely to secure a top job than their more privileged counterparts who
receive a 2:2.3 This suggests that other factors such as prior work experience, informal networks,
and socio-cultural capital may still hold more sway.
upReach takes a double-benefit approach to tackling this issue. We provide an intensive
programme of support to our Associates that addresses socio-economic barriers to employment.
We also work to influence the hiring behaviours of the graduate employers we partner with.
Potential beneficiaries receive guidance on
post-18 options via our annual career guide,
sent to all UK state sixth forms and colleges.
We supplement the guide with an online
careers video library and a downloadable
teacher toolkit. In 2021, we launched the
Aspire webinar series to help year 12's and
year 13's make more informed decisions
about their futures.
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Personlised 1-2-1 Support
Aspire activities broaden horizons, build
understanding of career pathways and raise
aspirations.
Notes
1. The Sutton Trust. (2019) Elitist Britain.
2. UCAS. (2020) End of Cycle Report.
3. Friedman and Laurison. (2019) The Class Ceiling, Why it Pays to be Privileged, p.38.
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On sign up, Associates take getEmployable, our GEF assessment
tool, designed to provide them a better understanding of their
profile across ten key employability skill areas through a
personal employability report. Any student in the UK can take
this assessment on our website: getemployable.org
ociate
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