Career Ready Mentoring – Internship funding available – Can you help?
Career Ready is a national social mobility programme operating here, in Dundee within all of the local secondary schools. The programme connects S5 (to S6) students with a mentor from the world of work – someone who can help them to develop confidence, a professional network, transferable employability skills and real-world work experience before leaving school. Each student is provided with a mentor, who they meet for 1 hour per month, and a 4-week, full-time, paid Summer (2027) internship, in their mentor’s organisation. It is a belts and braces approach. The programme is proven, with 98% of its young people going on to sustained positive post-school destinations.
Career Ready is not a universal offer – it exists to support a particular cohort of students – those who lack networks or opportunities due to their socio-economic background and circumstances. These are young people with an abundance of talent and capability, but with limited opportunity and/or confidence. The programme is a chance to gain meaningful insight into the world of work and in that, develop transferable employability skills, that they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do. Not least, it is also a chance for them to build an invaluable network of professional, knowledgeable and skilful people.
Career Ready is a strategic partner of Dundee City Council and the Developing Young Workforce (DYW) Group, and together our aim is to ensure more and more Dundee young people benefit from this life changing opportunity. We expect there to be in the region of 50-60 students joining the programme in Dundee this year. Can you help?
Why employers and mentors get involved:
- The programme enables employers to develop future talent pipelines and raise the profile of career opportunities in their sector. The Career Ready programme is a well-structured and a fully supported programme, enabling employers to easily get involved.
- The mentoring role is great for colleagues at any stage of their career. Whether it is someone keen to develop leadership and coaching skills, or someone later on/or more senior in their career journey keen to give back and take someone under their wing.
- Supports existing diversity, inclusion, and social mobility
- Creates a positive, measurable difference in a young person’s life – Check out our 2025 Scotland Impact Report & some Success stories from across the UK
Organisations currently supporting the programme in Dundee and Angus: Dundee City Council, SSSC, Social Security Scotland (Scottish Government), The Circle, Dundee Science Centre, Hillcrest, Caledonia Housing Association, DYW, Dundee & Angus College, Robertsons Construction, Kilmac, Carolina Trust, SWARCO, Thorntons Law, The Apex, Malmaison, Associated Seafoods, National Trust Scotland, V&A, Leisure & Culture Dundee, Caz Millar Consulting…the network continues to grow.
To help you further understand the brilliant work that the amazing Career Ready network does, here is a link to a short video that shares the perspectives of employers, mentors and students. It takes a small village.
Mhairi Prendergast, Career Ready Programme & Partnership Manager for Tay Cities, would be delighted to chat through this opportunity with you – she is keen to make sure a third sector organisation can benefit from the internship funding. Her email address is: mhairi.prendergast@careerready.org.uk.
