As a digital-first company, we benefitted from the huge wave of digital transformation spurred on by COVID-19. Young people, however, have not been so fortunate.
COVID-19 has pushed youth unemployment in the UK to nearly 15%, further widening social and economic inequality.
However, not everything is so bleak. There are major, game-changing opportunities in the world right now and, as a fast-moving Fintech, we are exposed to these opportunities on a daily basis. So, at ipushpull, we decided to give back in a meaningful way - and in a way that we know how.
We understand Fintech, technology and financial markets so we put together a diverse and inclusive mentoring and work experience programme for high school, college and university students.
Students visiting TP ICAP offices
Fintech mentoring – Work in Fintech
To raise awareness of the paths available to young people when choosing their future career, and present fintech opportunities and connections, the ipushpull CEO Matthew Cheung founded the Work in Fintech initiative.
Starting at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic we have worked closely with young people across the UK helping them to find exciting opportunities working in the Financial Services industry, exposing them to the wave of digitisation occurring, teaching them about the importance of key technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics which are shaping the industry globally.
Students visiting Goldman Sachs offices
The aim of the project
Through Work in Fintech, students across high school, college and university have met, interviewed and been coached by experts across Fintech and finance including TP ICAP, Symphony, Blockchain.com, Google Cloud, Goldman Sachs, the London Stock Exchange Group, J.P.Morgan, Revolut and many more. The programme aims to create the skills, mindset and network for anyone who would like to enter the world of finance and technology.
UKBlackTech
The Work in Fintech project has partnered with UKBlackTech, a diversity and inclusion innovation group on a mission to make the UK the most diverse tech ecosystem in the world. To make this happen we need to see equity, transparency and representation at the decision-making level in tech. Tech services, tools, and organisations must reflect their employees and the communities they serve.
Student Partnerships
ipushpull has sponsored students to enable them to pursue their passions. For example, Amrit Khatkar, a Masters student at Birmingham University is working on his thesis based on NLP in capital markets chat workflows. While Jagraj Singh of Leicester University is working on a blockchain data research project. Both are charging ahead in a field of innovation and change, with ipushpull providing advice and support for them to enhance their skills.
Volunteering Support
We support ipushpull employees in their chosen volunteering activities. From volunteering as a school governor to bake sales that raise money for running a local hockey club, our employees are encouraged to get involved in supporting their local communities as well as bigger causes.
If you're interested in working with us or getting involved in the Work in Fintech project, then don't hesitate to get in touch.