Learners from the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility got the chance to go behind-the-scenes at True Potential this week, as part of the Harrison Prize.

The visit was an opportunity for learners Thomas, Dylan, Sam and Joe to gain first-hand insight into nearby job opportunities as part of their studies and preparation for the world of work.

During the visit, they each received an iPad for winning this year‘s Harrison Prize, which challenged all Harrison Centre students to develop an idea for an app that could help and encourage members of the public to save more of their money and built up their own personal financial resilience.

The group’s ‘Money Smart’ idea was judged the winner by an expert panel in May, which included Harrison Centre for Social Mobility founder and True Potential Chairman, David Harrison.

David said: “One of my big ambitions when I set up the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility was to widen the horizons and raise the aspirations of young people in our communities, particularly those who have found themselves at a cross-roads. I’ve always believed in the power of a job and an income and the positive effects that come from it. That’s why one of the priorities for the Harrison Centre is to link the leaners up with local businesses.

“I really hope this visit to such a thriving and modern business as True Potential has given Dylan, Thomas, Sam and Joe a taste of the opportunities that are out there for them and for all the learners at the Harrison Centre.”

During the visit to True Potential, the learners were given a demonstration of the firm’s impulseSave® technology by Head of Delivery, Dianne Pattison. The system enables the public to invest from as little as £1, complementing the idea developed by the Harrison Centre students.

The tour of True Potential’s multi million-pound new headquarters was led by Chief Executive, Daniel Harrison, who said:

“It’s been great to welcome Joe, Dylan, Thomas and Sam to True Potential today to give them an insight into our business and the opportunities that are here for all the learners of the Harrison Centre. We’re a fast-growing business with a wide range of roles, from tech to investment management, operations and sales to marketing and customer services. Often one of the major challenges is just not knowing what opportunities are out there.

“True Potential works closely with the Harrison Centre and all our partners to create this pathway from learning into employment, connecting young people and their skills with businesses that need them. I look forward to welcoming the students back in future for paid work experience as they take the next step in their studies and into employment.”

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