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Young people are increasingly facing mental health issues and unemployment. The 18-24 age group is especially affected. Industries in the UK need to help. Many sectors, including insurance, are finding it hard to attract and keep young talent. The insurance industry has an ageing workforce and a skills gap. It also competes with other sectors that seem more attractive to young professionals.
Attracting young talent is a top priority for the sector. To change its image as a less dynamic career option, companies need to use innovative engagement strategies. These strategies should address short-term employment needs and invest in the future workforce. It's crucial to help young people gain the skills and confidence to succeed in their careers.
Zurich Municipal is tackling this challenge as part of its social value strategy. Programmes such as the Kickstart Mentoring Programme and the STEM Ambassador Programme are creating pathways for young people to succeed. Sally Rose, strategic account manager at Zurich Municipal, says: “Social value doesn’t just happen, it’s woven into everything we do, from the products we offer to the partnerships we form. Our work with young people is an extension of this philosophy, ensuring that we help bridge the gap to a better future for those who need it most.”
This approach matches the government’s National Procurement Policy Statement. It asks public sector organisations and their suppliers to break down barriers to opportunity. Zurich’s programmes do just that. They address specific skills gaps, provide access to training, and remove barriers for under-represented groups, including young people with protected characteristics.
Agnieszka Gajli, social value lead at Zurich Municipal, says: “The challenge for suppliers in delivering social value is to ensure it is specific, locally relevant and genuinely impactful. What I like about these programmes is that they meet the challenge; they are tailored, focused on building skills for young people, and aligned with customers’ requirements.”
The Kickstart Mentoring Programme is making a real difference. Zurich employees mentor students from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them career advice and guidance. The programme helps build confidence and teaches career-ready skills. Zurich mentors assist with CV writing, interview techniques, presentation skills, and networking.
Adam Slade, lead tutor at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, says: “We’ve been part of the programme for three years now. It’s crucial for providing equal access and addressing imbalances in opportunities for our students. Every year, more students want to join. In the first year, we had 28 students, and now we have 54. The programme clearly adds value. It helps students develop confidence in a supportive environment, with Zurich mentors offering insights beyond the classroom.”
The programme has a big impact on students’ confidence and career development. Ben Gogoi-Degens is a great example. He took part in the programme and is now doing a Level 7 apprenticeship at a Big Four accounting firm. Ben says: “The Zurich Kickstart programme gave me the confidence to navigate the professional world. I visited prestigious London offices, met Zurich professionals, and learned what corporate life is really like. That experience made a huge difference in my career journey.”
Ben’s story is not unique. Across the UK, the Kickstart programme is helping young people get into industries that are usually hard to break into. The work experience from Kickstart mentors gives students a chance to learn, grow, and make connections that will help them for years.
It’s not just the students who benefit. Adam says, “We’ve heard directly from insurance professionals who work with the students. They find the engagement rewarding and learn a lot about what young people want for future recruitment needs.”
Alasdair MacDonald, property underwriting regional performance manager at Zurich Municipal, shared his experience: “I volunteer because I enjoy coaching people – it’s genuinely rewarding. Selfishly, I also learn a lot. I’ve got kids who’ll be at this stage before I know it, so it gives me perspective. It can be daunting – some of the students are incredibly switched on and focused, more than I ever was at that age. But that’s what makes it worthwhile. It’s one of the best things I get to do at work, and as long as the programme runs, I’ll keep volunteering.”
Another programme that Zurich has committed to is the STEM Ambassador Programme. This programme has engaged over 1,000 students, focusing on building a pipeline of future talent for the insurance and engineering sectors. Through career fairs, school visits, and engineering-focused work experience days, Zurich employees have shared their expertise and inspired students to consider careers in STEM fields. Engagement through programmes like this is critical to supporting the development of STEM among young people. A study from King’s College London has highlighted how important early engagement in STEM fields is. A recently published study by EUK Education shows that 90% of teachers surveyed face barriers to providing STEM engagement activities, which underpins how key the corporate sector is as a partner.
The Zurich programme has surpassed its initial goals, engaging over 1,000 students through various events and resources. These include engineering-focused work experience days, career fairs, and video content aimed at developing essential skills. Local schools and colleges also benefit from Primary Engineers training, school visits, and ongoing resource support. This helps students explore careers in engineering with an emphasis on safety, sustainability, and real-world applications. By offering hands-on learning experiences, the programme highlights the diverse career paths in STEM and the significant role these fields play in addressing global challenges.
Beyond these main initiatives, Zurich’s commitment to youth empowerment is clear in its wider network of partnerships. For example, Zurich’s procurement from social enterprises such as Wildhearts has directly supported thousands of young people. Partnerships with INEQE Safeguarding Group and the Safer Schools ecosystem show how insurers can make a positive impact beyond traditional business operations.
Zurich is one of the five founding members of Social Enterprise UK’s ‘Buy Social’ programme. This programme encourages businesses to spend with social enterprises, driving positive social and environmental change.
“As a founding member of the Buy Social programme, Zurich shows its commitment to creating lasting social value,” says Rose. “By partnering with the right social enterprises, we can support sustainable practices and create opportunities for communities and young people, helping them gain the skills and confidence to succeed.”
Rose adds that Zurich’s impact includes ‘hidden social value’. “While direct initiatives such as Kickstart and STEM engagement grab headlines, the hidden social value in Zurich’s operations, from ethical procurement choices to rehabilitation support for employees and customers’ families, has far-reaching effects. These often-overlooked elements can have a meaningful impact on local communities and young people’s lives, even if they aren’t immediately visible.”
Zurich’s commitment to social value shows that investing in young people is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic decision that benefits businesses, communities, and society. Zurich highlights that it can’t deliver this success alone and that these programmes need engagement from various stakeholders. As Rose concludes: “Collaboration is key. The more we work together, the more we can amplify the positive change we want to see.”
Zurich’s example shows that with the right approach, corporate responsibility in the insurance sector can create lasting, tangible change that empowers young people and their communities to thrive.
For more information on the Government's National Procurement Policy Statement see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-procurement-policy-statement
