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FastFutures

Work-ready skills, for everyone.

We believe everyone should have the same opportunity to shape their future, whatever their race, gender, or background.

The fully-funded FastFutures programme is designed to do just that – giving you the skills and mentoring you need to kick-start your career.

Apply now

The FastFutures supporters

  • AO.com
  • Agilisys
  • AstraZeneca logo
  • Barclays logo
  • BT logo
  • Legal & General
  • NHS
  • Octopus Group
  • Tate & Lyle logo
  • Salary Finance
  • Blenheim Chalcot

You're in the right place

We know that finding that dream job can be tough – especially if you’re just starting out in your career. 

So, to help give you a head start, we’re offering the FastFutures programme completely free.

If you’re aged 18-22 and have 12 hours a week to spare, we want to hear from you. It doesn’t matter how well you did at school, or where you’re from –  Anyone is welcome to apply.

The FastFutures programme is like no other. We’ve partnered with some of the UK’s biggest employers to give you real, first-hand experience of the workplace.  

In just 12 weeks you’ll learn the practical, business-focused skills that employers actually need. You’ll dive into data, marketing, finance, and discover why teamwork really does make the dream work.

Sounds good, right?

Apply here to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in your career.

What will I get?

  • Virtually meet some of the most successful companies in the UK
  • Get coaching and mentoring from business experts
  • Play a key role in completing a practical business project
  • Learn how to build an employer-ready CV that stands out from the crowd
  • Build your confidence and be your best self in interviews
  • Exclusive access to jobs with one of our partners
Apply Now

What it means to be data-driven

Data is the oil that helps businesses run – in fact, they really can’t make good decisions without it. 

Dive into the world of data and learn how to use software to analyse and create reports.

The power of marketing

Every business that needs to reach customers and sell products needs sales and marketing. 

Learn how to use data to devise campaigns that meet your customer's needs and get to know about the channels you can use to reach them.

 

Making teams work

A diverse team is a happy team – and happy teams are successful. 

Understand the importance of working with people from all walks of life and learn how teams can adapt to change. 

Finance fundamentals

Understanding the essentials of business finance and managing financial risk will really help you stand out among the crowd. 

Don’t worry about having any previous accounting knowledge – we’ll cover all the basics. 

The new, collaborative workplace

Thanks to new technology, the way teams work together is constantly changing. 

Learn how to successfully manage teams of people while working on a business project in groups.

Mentoring for success

In addition to the course modules, we're there to support you in every way possible, so we're offering:

  • Support to develop a great CV
  • Support from Mentors and our business partners 
  • Virtual site visits and talks from top execs to inspire you 
  • Practice interviews and feedback to nail an interview 
  • The opportunity to get a job with one of our sponsors

The coronavirus pandemic has hit UK businesses hard and has made finding a job that much harder for young people. That’s why we’ve set up FastFutures – to help give you everything you need to get ahead of the competition.  

Young people face a lack of job opportunities

  • 1 in 6 companies have cancelled their summer internships, and over 50% are reducing or changing them
  • The Resolution Foundation think tank has warned that an extra 600,000 under-25s could be reliant on benefits
  • 61% of apprentices have been made redundant, furloughed, or can't access their learning

And the country desperately needs digital skills

In a 2019 report, McKinsey & Company reported that 21 million workers—or two thirds of the workforce–might lack the necessary basic digital skills employers will need in 2030. Five million of those workers could be acutely underskilled in digital

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Why learn with FastFutures?

The FastFutures programme is 12 weeks long and has five core modules. Each week you’ll give 10-12 hours of your time to learn everything you need to increase your chances of becoming employed. You’ll also receive support from some of the UK’s biggest companies, including:  

  • Mentoring by business experts 
  • Exclusive virtual site visits  
  • Support in building a standout CV; and 
  • Advice on how to demonstrate your skills and be your best self in interviews  

Plus, don’t forget – there’s also the opportunity to interview for a job with one of our sponsors at the end of the course.

What you'll gain from FastFutures

If you successfully complete the 12-week course, you’ll get a certificate that you can use on your CV and LinkedIn page. This certificate highlights all the new skills you’ve learnt. 

The application process

FastFutures is a unique skills and experience programme that bridges the gap transition for young people from education to employment.

Diversity & Inclusion is also at the heart of everything we do and the programme is designed to appeal to underrepresented communities. To achieve this, as part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete an online assessment through an app which helps us to assess your potential for the programme, and ensures everyone has a fair chance at success.

Apply Now

FastFutures course modules

Data

  • Make decisions and take action based on data
  • Avoid some common biases when using data
  • Incorporate diversity and inclusion into your data collection, analysis and reporting activities
  • Create basic data visualisations to bring data to life
  • Carry out basic data analysis using a spreadsheet

Marketing

  • Take a ‘customer -first’ approach, using data and models to map customer needs
  • Come up with plans to reach your audience at different stages in their journeys
  • Use a blend of different channels when planning marketing campaigns

Finance

  • Interpret basic financial statements to assess an organisation’s financial health
  • Prepare a simple budget using a spreadsheet
  • Apply different investment techniques to decide if a business idea is worthwhile

Teamwork

  • Apply your emotional and social intelligence to keep good working relationships with colleagues
  • Develop your understanding of what motivates people
  • Develop your leadership style, with strategies for building trust and handling conflict

Innovation

  • Use a customer-driven mindset to adopt a rapid approach to product design and planning
  • Test your ideas and adapt quickly based on data and feedback
  • Use Agile techniques to help keep a project on-track
Apply Now

Become a FastFutures growth partner

FastFutures is a unique programme designed to provide young people from all backgrounds with the skills employers value now and in the future, futureproofing careers and limiting a potentially damaging skills gap for this generation entering employment.

Find out more about becoming an employer growth partner here. 

FastFutures Delivery Partners

  • Hive Learning
  • Arctic Shores
  • Finsbury