Foot Anstey McKees Partners with Belfast Schools to Address Barriers Facing Young Entrepreneurs
In the photo: L-R Carol Fitzsimons, MBE, Chief Executive at Young Enterprise NI, Donald Thompson, Partner at Foot Anstey McKees, Mary Montgomery, OBE, Principal at Boys’ Model School, Niall McCavitt, Associate at Foot Anstey McKees and Amy McFall, Area Manager at Young Enterprise NI with pupils from Boys’ Model School.
Foot Anstey McKees is proud to announce its support for Boys’ Model School and St Louise’s College in Belfast as they participate in Young Enterprise programmes designed to tackle the barriers to entrepreneurship, faced by many young people in education, and social mobility.
The pilot programme, ‘RISE’, is aimed at developing young people's Readiness, Independence, Skills and Enterprise.
The programme works with young people identified as being at risk of disengaging from their education. It's designed to give them insight into possible career pathways, including opportunities for self-employment, while helping them learn skills around work readiness, financial capability and entrepreneurship.
Foot Anstey McKees is part of the Foot Anstey Group, who recently funded Young Enterprise UK's research highlighting the value of interventions like these. With 82% of young people believing enterprise boosts their chances of progression it's time to recognise the importance of entrepreneurial skills for social mobility. [footanstey.com]
The research findings highlight the critical need for hands-on experiences, supportive networks and real world role models for young people - areas where business partners can play a transformative role.
Supporting Belfast Students to Bridge the Gap
Foot Anstey McKees’ partnership will enable students from Boys’ Model School and St Louise’s College to gain access to:
Supported enterprise education activity designed for learners with reduced school engagement and at risk of school exclusion.
Workplace visits, including to the Foot Anstey McKees offices, to develop workplace readiness skills and confidence in workplace settings.
Support from Foot Anstey McKees employees, helping address the lack of networks identified by young people as a challenge to progression.
Opportunities to develop the confidence, financial awareness and problem-solving skills which are crucial for future success.
This initiative forms part of the Foot Anstey Group’s wider commitment to responsible business. The firm has committed to invest at least 1% of net profits into its responsible business activity, launching a comprehensive strategy which included a strategic three-year partnership with Young Enterprise UK, including Young Enterprise Northern Ireland. With a clear focus on driving social mobility, the firm is creating measurable social impact by supporting young people to overcome key challenges. [footanstey.com]
Quote from Young Enterprise
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive at Young Enterprise NI, welcomed the partnership, stating:
“We are delighted to welcome Foot Anstey McKees as a partner. Their commitment to supporting young people, particularly in communities where barriers to opportunity are most acute, will make a meaningful difference. By helping pupils build entrepreneurial skills, confidence and networks, they are enabling students to seize opportunities that can shape their futures.”
Quote from Foot Anstey McKees
Donald Thompson, Partner and Young Enterprise NI partnership lead at Foot Anstey McKees
"We are very excited to embark on this programme with the two schools. Our people are passionate about helping young people discover their talents and achieve their potential, and the RISE programme is a doing just that."
A Powerful Collaboration for Social Mobility
Foot Anstey McKees' leaders have emphasised the value of entrepreneurial thinking as one of today’s most essential workplace skills, noting that creativity, initiative and problem-solving help young people stay agile and competitive.
Through this Belfast based outreach, Foot Anstey McKees is contributing to a broader mission: breaking down the social and financial barriers that restrict young people’s potential, and are helping nurture the next generation of innovative thinkers.