The H&F Upstream Pathway Bond provide a broad menu of opportunities to help businesses play a meaningful role in supporting the local community in which they operate.
You can choose from as many or as few of the opportunities listed below as you wish. The bonds are a central part of our Industrial Strategy which focusses on inclusive growth with a clear emphasis on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Medicine, Media (STEM3) as a driving force for employment.
Whether you're a start-up, scale-up, large corporate or an institution, we want to collaborate with you to create an environment where nobody is left behind, thereby nurturing the talent crucial for the future workforce. In return, we're happy to provide you with a public endorsement for your work.
The benefits to your organisation include:
- raising your organisation's profile
- supporting your immediate and longer-term talent pipeline
- enabling staff to give back to the local community
- providing an opportunity for staff personal and professional development
- investment in both future workforce and local talent.
Our menu of opportunities
1. STEM3 inspiration and connections
- Offer STEM3 workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on activities.
- Provide advice and support to young people participating in international visits in H&F's international partner municipalities and help broaden the networks of local students on international visits or work experience through business contacts.
- Support council-led events and the annual STEM3 festival, while developing links with Upstream London's global innovation district partners.
2. Apprenticeships and work experience
- Create high-quality apprenticeships with top-tier training providers and donate unused Apprenticeship Levy funds to support local businesses.
- Offer career workshops, workplace visits, open days and Q&A sessions.
- Provide week-long and summer work placements with industry mentors.
3. Extra-curricular and community support
- Make facilities available for educational and extracurricular activities.
- Sponsor extracurricular educational projects and activities.
- Host community events and activities within available spaces.
4. Mentoring and sponsorship
- Provide financial support for underrepresented students, including paid summer placements.
- Sponsor students for educational trips and exchanges.
- Establish dedicated mentoring programmes pairing students with professionals and offering long-term guidance and support through structured mentorship.
5. Skills and visits
- Collaborate with schools to integrate workplace visits and industry insights into the curriculum, and provide show-and-tell sessions to expose students to various professions.
- Host workshops or sponsor programmes to build interpersonal and professional skills.
- Conduct sessions on soft skills such as workplace behaviour and confidence building.
To find out more, contact: business-support@lbhf.gov.uk