Creating Pathways into Salesforce with Catch22

In a world where opportunities for young adults can sometimes feel limited, workforce development organisations like Catch22 are stepping up to make a difference. Since 2021, the Future Pathways team has provided virtual work experience opportunities for over 120 young adults in the UK, in collaboration with Catch22 and the support of Movement to Work.

Recently, Salesforce and Catch22 were honoured at the prestigious Movement to Work Youth Employability Awards for their outstanding achievements. They received the awards for Innovation and Partnership for delivering a transformative programme that is shaping the careers of young adults from diverse backgrounds across the UK.

Catch22 is a social business: a not-for-profit business with a social mission. Their vision for a strong society is one where everyone has the same three things to thrive: a purpose, a good place to live, and good people around them. All of their services help people to achieve at least one, if not all three, of these things through services to build resilience and aspiration in people and communities.

Future Pathways Movement to Work Programme

The Future Pathways Movement to Work Programme is just one of the initiatives that is at the heart of this partnership. Designed to support the future workforce by equipping young adults with the skills, networks, and insights needed to kickstart their careers at Salesforce, this 2-week virtual work experience programme provides pathways into Salesforce careers. Participants, typically aged 18-24 and not in education, employment, or training (NEET), come from backgrounds that are often underrepresented in the tech sector.

Throughout the programme, these young adults engage in a variety of activities aimed at enhancing their employability skills, building networks, and gaining valuable career insights to set them up for success. From ‘a day in the life’ sessions to networking events and group projects, every aspect of the programme is carefully designed to empower participants to reach their full tech professional potential. Volunteers from across Salesforce and the Salesforce Ecosystem support with the delivery of activities and share their expertise to bring the programme to life.

Partners at Catch22 share what the programme means to them:

How would you describe the Future Pathways Movement to Work Programme in 3 words?
"Inspirational, Transformative, Catalytic"

What would you say is the best part about your partnership with Salesforce?
"The best part of the Catch22 partnership with Salesforce is the transformation impact it has on the lives of the jobseekers we support. This collaboration sends a powerful message that a leading global technology company believes in their potential and is invested in their success."

How does this partnership with Salesforce help Catch22 to support young adults into employment?
"One of the most impactful aspects of our partnership is the work experience opportunities facilitated by Salesforce. These placements allow our participants to gain invaluable hands-on experience in a real-world setting, enhancing their CV’s and giving them a competitive edge in the job market. By working directly with Salesforce professionals, job seekers gain insights into the industry, build their professional networks, and develop the confidence needed to thrive in their new roles."

Individuals supported by the Salesforce Future Pathways Movement to Work programme share what the programme means to them:

How would you describe your experience on the Future Pathways Movement to Work Programme in 3 words?
“Best experience ever!”

What does the programme mean to you and how did it help you to reach your tech career goals?
“I would recommend people to join the Catch22 Digital Leap and Salesforce work experience, it was very interactive and educational. It definitely helped me get where I am now. I’m having a wonderful time in my new role, and I feel like I’ve grown so much in these past few months. I don't think I would've been able to make it this far without the guidance. Thank you so much [Catch22 and Salesforce], I am really grateful”.

The Future Pathways Movement to Work programme forms part of the wider Future Pathways mission of creating pathways into Salesforce careers for entry level untapped talent. At Salesforce, we define untapped talent as individuals from underserved and/or underrepresented communities who may lack access to the career pathways in the professional services. If you’d like to learn more about the Future Pathways programmes, take a look at the careers site here.