Jo Reynolds

When I reflect on the work we do in the Early Careers team at HSBC, I’m reminded that real change often starts with a simple question: “What more can we do?”

During the pandemic, I saw firsthand how young people – especially those in my own family – were missing out on more than just classroom learning. They were losing vital connections to the world of work. Careers advice, employer engagement, and real-world experience had all but disappeared.

So, I started building an outreach programme – initially off the side of my desk – to connect with schools and colleges virtually. What began as a stopgap has grown into a core part of HSBC’s equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy.

Empowering the next generation

Our mission is simple: to inspire, enable, and empower young people – particularly those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. We help them explore their potential, understand the world of work, and build the confidence to thrive in it.

We’ve developed a curriculum that starts as early as Year 7 and continues through to adulthood, covering everything from communication and relationship-building to personal branding, interview skills, and navigating online assessments.

And it’s not just about future HSBC hires. Whether or not they join us, we want every young person we reach to feel seen, supported, and capable of success.

The power of employer engagement

The stats speak volumes: young people who engage with employers are 80 per cent less likely to become unemployed. A single week of work experience can boost future earnings by 22 per cent. But access isn’t equal – especially in the North, where only 33 per cent of Year 10 students complete work experience.

That’s why we’ve built both in-person and virtual programmes, trained hundreds of Early Careers Ambassadors, and focused on those who need us most – students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic minorities, those with impairments, and more.

Expanding our reach: the Shelter connection

We’re now exploring how this model can support Shelter and its clients. The same resources and expertise we use with students can be adapted for adults of any age – whether they’re rebuilding after hardship or simply need a confidence boost.

We know that homelessness can happen to anyone. I’ve experienced housing insecurity myself, rotating between friends and family after a marriage breakdown. I wasn’t on the streets, but I know how isolating and destabilising it can be.

That’s why I believe so strongly in this work. It’s not just about skills – it’s about dignity, resilience, and hope.

A story that stays with me

One student’s feedback will stay with me forever. She came from a difficult home life, often caring for younger siblings and lacking support or encouragement. After joining our work experience programme, she told me: “You’ve given me the confidence I’ve never had before. You’ve inspired me – I feel like I have a chance in life.” That’s why we do what we do.