The Career Academy model has been transforming young lives in the United States for over 25 years. The concept was the vision of Sanford (Sandy) I. Weill, the corporate leader and philanthropist, now Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup Inc. His proposal to address the lack of opportunity for young people in New York City and interest high school students in a career on Wall Street resulted, in 1982, in the first Academy of Finance – a programme for 35 students at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn.
As Weill explained at the time, "You saw young people playing in the street, young people without having a clue of what life was about, and how they can become part of the system. That was the beginning of the idea that maybe the private sector should get together with the public sector and see if we can create a high-school level programme that can expose young people for a career in the financial services industry."
In 1987, a second theme was launched, in Hospitality and Tourism, followed by Academies of Information Technology in 2000. The National Academy Foundation was established in the US to oversee the quality and expansion of Career Academy programmes. Today it sustains a network of over 600 Career Academies across the United States, supported locally by over 2,000 businesses and serving thousands of young people each year.
In December 2001, having seen the Career Academy model in the US, Sir Winfried Bischoff, Chairman of Citigroup Europe, gathered 12 senior colleagues from multinational companies to meet leading educationalists. Inner city teachers were well aware that raising students’ aspirations was one of their toughest, ongoing challenges and fundamental to all subsequent achievement. Could the Career Academy principles be adapted and applied in a UK education and business context? A pilot programme at Lewisham College, Guildford College and Sir George Monoux College in Walthamstow answered with a resounding YES!
Career Academies UK was born, independent from The National Academy Foundation, but affiliated to it and able to benefit from its experience. Six years on, we’re delighted to be adding plenty of home-grown experience of our own.