National Apprenticeship Week is all about exploring the incredible opportunities available to young people, and we were thrilled to attend the Salesforce Future Pathways event at Salesforce Tower with 30 enthusiastic students and their teachers from Christ the King Aquinas.
Our goal? To demystify tech careers, showcase the power of apprenticeships, and provide invaluable insights into the world of Salesforce.
A day of discovery at Salesforce Tower
The Salesforce Future Pathways Programme Managers warmly welcomed the students, setting the tone for a day focused on growth and discovery. The "Salesforce Explained and Quiz" session was a fantastic introduction, with employees sharing their knowledge about Salesforce's innovative products and services. The students were engaged and eager to learn, and the quiz sparked a healthy dose of friendly competition!
Agentforce Challenge: Hands-on with AI
After a well-deserved lunch break, the real hands-on learning began with the "AI Team Challenge." Students had the unique opportunity to collaborate with Salesforce employees on a team activity using the Agentforce AI tools. This was a highlight for many, as they got to experience firsthand how cutting-edge technology is applied in real-world scenarios, and an opportunity to present their ideas and solutions to an audience of tech professionals.
Exploring Salesforce Future Pathways at Salesforce Tower
One of the most exciting parts of the day was the tour of the London Salesforce Tower. Students explored the impressive workspace including the Ohana Floor, snapping selfies and sharing their experiences on LinkedIn. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the dynamic and collaborative environment that Salesforce fosters.
Apprenticeships and application top tips
Salesforce recruiters shared insider knowledge about the apprenticeship programme, providing practical advice on how to stand out during the application process. This was a golden opportunity for students to learn directly from the experts who could be shaping their future careers.
Learning from the apprentices themselves
The day concluded with a "Future Pathways Apprentice Q&A and Networking" session. This was a powerful segment, as students heard firsthand from Salesforce apprentices about their experiences, challenges, and successes. The apprentices offered invaluable advice on choosing career paths and navigating the early stages of their professional journeys. The students were able to ask honest questions, and make connections with people who were once in their shoes.
Benefits of Salesforce Future Pathways
Future Pathways is a programme dedicated to finding opportunities for talented young professionals at Salesforce. The programme has helped over 1,200 diverse talents kickstart their careers at Salesforce, bringing new perspectives and driving the future of their business.
- Tech is accessible: The day demonstrated that tech careers are within reach for anyone with passion and drive.
- Apprenticeships are a valuable pathway: Students gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of apprenticeships and how they can lead to fulfilling careers.
- Networking is crucial: Students had the opportunity to connect with Salesforce employees and apprentices, building their professional networks.
- Employability skills are essential: The workshops and activities focused on developing key skills that are highly valued in the workplace.
More information can be found on the Future Pathways website, and applications for the apprentice programme can be made via this link.
We were incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement of the students from CTK Aquinas. It was a pleasure to share our passion for technology and apprenticeships with them. We hope that the insights and experiences they gained will inspire them to pursue their dreams and explore the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic initiative, and we are proud to be part of it. We believe in investing in the future generation and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. We look forward to welcoming more students to Salesforce in the future!
Event feedback
At the end of the event, students were asked to provide feedback.
- 100% of the students learned about new career opportunities.
- 100% of students learned about skills valued in the workplace.
- 100% of students felt more confident about their future.
What the Students said
- I feel this trip gave me great insights into the world of apprenticeships and work, as well as the importance of connections and persistence in trying to find one.
- It made me want to do an apprenticeship more since I was in the loop about going university or doing an apprenticeship.
- The part I most definitely enjoyed was the part where they got us into a group with people we never knew and design a product for a specific company. I really enjoyed the idea where we had to discuss our idea and why it should be implemented really shows how useful collaboration is!
Why insights into tech careers is crucial
Following the event, one of the students wrote to us:
"I attended the Salesforce trip which really opened my eyes in terms of not narrowing my options and curiosity. I was never interested in IT or computing, but this trip really made me see the bigger picture and let me know that it’s not all about coding and maths, it’s about innovation and ideas which I really found exciting in the activity we did on the trip. As I have started my journey in sixth form, I have had many short-lived aspirations about where I want to be in the future. My initial go-to plan was finance or accounting as I do enjoy economics and maths which is a bit cliché. But after numerous workshops, and attending the Salesforce trip funded by Urban Synergy, I have been exposed to different, and to me, more exciting career paths I may be interested in instead of finance."
"I’ve found every workshop very inspirational and eye-opening in terms of the crucial time and age I am and it’s up to me to get to where I want to be and coming from a disadvantaged area and being a female it’s not going to be easy but I would like to tackle these societal pressures and live the life that I want to live."
