The DHL UK Foundation has announced that it invested £1.8 million in the education and employability of young people in the UK in the 2018/19 academic year, delivering over 275 activities and reaching over 10,000 secondary school students.
The independent charitable foundation, spearheaded by former chief executive of DHL Supply Chain UK&I Perry Watts, works in partnership with DHL businesses, other likeminded charities and DHL employees to support disadvantaged children and young people in the UK through charitable activities and grants.
This substantial commitment reflects the increasing focus on education and employability by the DHL UK Foundation and the DPDHL ‘GoTeach’ programme. DHL UK colleagues, irrespective of location, job role or experience are given the opportunity via ‘GoTeach’ to inspire young people about the world of work. They showcase the wide range of careers available in the logistics industry and raise aspirations, develop confidence and help support young people preparing for employment.
According to research by an Education & Employers taskforce, students with four or more positive interactions with employers are 5 times less likely to be unemployed when they leave school and earn on average 18% more. The DHL UK Foundation focusses support on young people aged between 5 and 25 years, placing an emphasis on helping children get the most out of education, boosting their employability and engaging them in a meaningful way with the DHL business.
Over 75 schools are currently supported by the GoTeach UK programme with 74% of students saying they are more excited about their future career prospects after taking part in DHL UK Foundations led activities.
The 2018/19 academic year also saw the first apprentices who were introduced to the logistics industry via the GoTeach UK programme begin their journey on the DHL Chartered Business Manager Degree-Level Apprenticeship. DHL colleagues mentored these young people through a series of employability workshops, site visits and DHL Foundation funded outdoor learning residential schemes that use activities like mountain climbing and caving to teach resilience and teamwork. Over the next few years they will study for their degree whilst simultaneously working for DHL, undertaking a variety of business modules including customer research, analytics and economics.
Megan, one of DHL’s new apprentices, says: “I benefited from the GoTeach programme when I was at school and loved it. The outdoor educations activities were exciting and I learned a huge amount. Taking part helped me focus and think about life after school.”
Dean Wyatt, GoTeach UK Ambassador Board Chair says; “I’m incredibly proud of the results that the GoTeach UK programme has achieved over the last 12 months. For decades, the DHL UK Foundation has been conducting important work to support the communities in which this business operates and it is great to see the huge difference DHL colleagues can make in local schools, including being role models for young people.”
By 2020, the DHL UK Foundation has the ambition to reach over 50,000 children and young people and support 200 schools through its charitable grants and activities.