CIPR supported public affairs mentoring initiative launched to support 80 young people
A CIPR-supported mentoring initiative by the not-for-profit I have a voice officially launches this week. The public affairs profession has come together to support the initiate which supports 80 young people pursue careers in the sector.
The nine-month programme offers one-to-one support for young people with a background typically under-represented in the industry. Out of the 80 mentees 51 are female, 33 identify as an ethnic minority, 27 are from low-income households, 17 identify as LGBTQ+, and 7 have a disability.
Mentees will benefit from one-to-mentoring from professionals across the sector who will develop their mentees’ knowledge of the UK political system and help them to get work-ready. The mentees will also have the opportunity to grow their network through a range of workshops and talks from industry experts.
The scheme has been made possible by the support of Astellas Pharmaceuticals, National Grid, WA Communications, GK Strategy as well as the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
We're incredibly proud to support I have a voice and their incredible work to engage and educate young and under-represented people in our political processes and to empower them to pursue a career in public affairs. Our democracy relies and thrives on these voices being heard and programmes like this are invaluable to help people understand the most effective ways to do that.
I want to wish all the mentees the best of luck on the programme and look forward to hearing and seeing how each of you fare in this journey.
I am thrilled that we’re going to be able to support so many young people this year. The support from across the public affairs sector has been overwhelming. We have mentors from a range of public affairs teams, including agencies, charities, professional bodies and corporates. A good mentor can change a person’s life. I can’t wait to see the outcome for this year’s mentees.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas with nearly 10,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).
About I have a voice
I have a voice is a not-for-profit that creates links between professionals from the political sphere and young people to equip young people with the tools and confidence to speak up on the issues that matter to them and their communities; and consider a range of rewarding careers in politics and policymaking.