upReach | Social Mobility

📣A newly fledged partnership with one of the UK’s leading energy providers, EDF (UK).

As of September 2025, upReach and EDF have joined forces to provide a raft of opportunities for our cohort of 3,200+ undergraduates. 👏

Read the full press release here: upreach.org.uk/news/announc...

ENGAGE

That’s why upReach offers free career support programmes in STEM, supporting students from lower income backgrounds to access and sustain careers in top roles after graduation.

👩‍💻 If you’re an undergraduate interested in STEM, you can learn more and apply via our website: upreach.org.uk/apply-now/

🔒Only 17% of cybersecurity roles are held by women*

(*Data from: WomenTech Network and Tech Talent Charter)

An industry that is shaping the future cannot afford to draw from such a narrow pool of talent.

The tech industry is growing fast with AI, but it still has a gender issue: let’s talk about women in STEM.

🎓Women make up just 23% of undergraduate Computer Science students.

👩‍💻 Only 29% of tech employees are women.

📊 Just 9% of the tech workforce comes from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Good spot!

Northern England is included in the Sutton Trust's report from which this data is drawn; you can read more in the report which says: "Growth was highest in London – an 18 percentage point increase, and the North – a 15 percentage point increase, from 39% to 54%"

Continuing with our series of award introductions, this week we are spotlighting the Widening Participation awards. 🏆

To learn more about the awards, eligibility criteria, and how to submit a nomination, click the link below. 👇
cms.studentsocialmobilityawards.org.uk/uploads/In_P...

Nominations for the 2026 SSMAs are in full swing. Make sure you submit your nominations by 12 March, and give someone who is changing the state of social mobility the chance to attend an unforgettable night at our new venue (more details coming next week 👀) in July!

"What's a shell-shedding moment that you've had as a CEO?"

That's what Sarah Ellis asked upReach CEO Nick Bent on today's episode of the Squiggly Career. Nick explores:
🦞 Resetting organisational culture
🦞 Finding purpose and perspective in leadership

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/17We...

Closing this gap requires national action. At upReach, we support more than 3,000 students from over 80 universities, working nationally to expand regional employer engagement and improve access to professional opportunities as part of our National Development Strategy.

Where you grow up still shapes your future.

Regional disparity remains a significant barrier to social mobility in the UK and highlights the need for more equitable access to professional opportunities beyond the capital.

A fairer system means opportunity should not depend on postcode.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬.

From who you know to what you can afford, access to internships in the UK is still shaped by privilege.

@suttontrust.bsky.social

Nice to see @upreach.bsky.social & @shareaction.bsky.social on there!

"The fact that so many leading people only come from two universities risks the diversity of thought and experiences needed to best run the country." - Sutton Trust's Elitist Britain 2025

That's why we work to remove barriers to top careers for talented students from all backgrounds.

Private school alumni make up just 7% of the UK population but dominate top roles in law, finance, tech, media & civil service.

We support students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to access top graduate careers. Because potential shouldn't be determined by social background.

upReach.org.uk

Arafath, a 2025 work experience participant, reflects:
“It was an incredible experience that gave me practical exposure to areas like web development, data science, and cybersecurity”

Looking to invest in tech talent? Host an upReach Associate for work experience or internships in 2026 and unlock access to diverse talent.

Deadline to get in touch is Monday February 2nd‼️
Contact: oscar.feeney@upreach.org.uk to learn more!

Socio-economic background still plays a huge role on how far someone can go in their career.

Talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds faces more barriers and less support, compared to their peers from higher socio-economic backgrounds with parental networks and financial safety nets.

📣 UK university students 📣

Make 2026 the year you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Start the year with the tools, guidance and opportunities that help turn ambition into progress.

👉 Apply now: upreach.org.uk/apply-now/

We’re excited to announce Dr. Bina Rawal as upReach’s new Chair of Trustees from Jan 2025! Bina’s journey and expertise align with our mission to drive social mobility. She succeeds Edward Astle and we’re grateful for his leadership. #upReach #SocialMobility #Trustees

@upreach.bsky.social is a multi-award-winning charity offering free 1-to-1 career coaching to students from low-income backgrounds. Applications to their Motorsports, Tech500 and Energy and Net Zero Springboards are open!

When we say our vision is a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential, regardless of social background, we mean it.

A huge thank you to our community of partners, supporters, funders, volunteers, and Alumni; none of this would be possible without you.

upReach Wrapped is out! 🎉

This year has been a powerful one for social mobility.

From 1-to-1 career support to tailored guidance on applications, interviews, and industry insight, supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds has remained at the heart of everything we do. 💙

That's why we're calling on the Government to make all large employers collect and publish socioeconomic background data for their workforces.

What gets measured gets done.

Would you be willing to endure such disparity? If not, support to our campaign.

#ClassPayGap #UKPolitics

Professionals from working-class backgrounds earn 12% less per year than their more privileged peers in the same role – that's over £6,000 less annually. This means they effectively work unpaid for 1 in every 8 days.

This is holding brilliant people and the UK economy back.

🚨 Professionals from lower socio-economic backgrounds will NOT get paid today, and for the rest of the year.

Today is Class Pay Gap Day: the date when millions of professionals from working-class backgrounds effectively stop being paid for the rest of 2025.

#SocialMobility #UK

💡 At upReach, we support 3,200+ students annually and work with leading employers to address these barriers. Some solutions we've seen work: travel reimbursement, living wage internships, and salary advances on first paycheques.

Read the full article: lnkd.in/e-WdgBZQ

This isn't just about fairness, it's also about businesses missing out on talent. When only those who can afford to participate in lengthy recruitment processes make it through, employers aren't hiring the best candidates. They're hiring the wealthiest.

When a student lands multiple final-stage interviews (which should be a marker of success), they face these expenses repeatedly. Many simply can't afford to participate.

When a student is invited to a final-stage interview in London, they face costs that quickly mount up: expensive train fares, overnight accommodation if interviews span multiple days, professional clothing they don't already own, and meals throughout the day.

Our CEO Nick Bent FRSA featured in the Metro last week commenting on the hidden barriers to jobs.

The costs associated with job interviews represent one of many invisible barriers faced by talented graduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds - barriers their wealthier peers never encounter.