Enterprise Mobility’s commitment to fostering environments where everyone can thrive extends to relieving financial pressure on students so they can thrive in their education journey.

Reflecting on ISE’s Student Recruitment Conference, one workshop that particularly resonated was hosted by Wiser, focusing on the growing financial pressures faced by students.

The statistics they presented were not just eye-opening but underscored a pressing need for action. As we contemplate our role as a member of the ISE, it’s crucial to consider how we can better support our future workforce and create equitable practices.

Here are some key insights from the workshop (Student Money and Wellbeing Report 2024):

• Average private rent costs in Great Britain are up by 26% and overall price of food and nonalcoholic beverages is up by 27% on average.
• 18% of students said they’ve had to use a food bank in the last academic year which is up from 10% compared to 2022.
• 57% received a lower grade than expected in the last 12 months because they felt too cold to study or concentrate.
• 56% received a lower grade than expected in the last 12 months because they felt too hungry.
• 63% of all students currently work alongside their studies and 70% of commuter students are working alongside their studies.

Support for students

As a prominent placement and graduate recruiter across the UK and Ireland, we at Enterprise Mobility understand the importance of supporting students through, what should be, one of the most enjoyable phases of their education journey.

Enterprise Mobility is focused on strengthening communities where we live and work. In the UK, our team has contributed over £300,000 to various local programmes at universities.

These donations support scholarship and bursary schemes, aid students from low-income backgrounds, and bolster student associations like the 93% Club, with each donation typically averaging £2,000.

What more can we do?

Recently, we were given the opportunity to support the Student Professional Wardrobe program at NTU, supporting students and graduates in accessing free workwear up to three years after graduation.

We’ve established donation stations where our employees can contribute, facilitating the repurposing of suitable items for the store on-campus.

Looking ahead, we are exploring additional avenues of support, such as funding initiatives to help students cover the costs associated with obtaining a driving license – a huge expense to students.

Our engagement also extends to addressing food insecurity on campuses, partnering with organisations like FareShare to explore meaningful interventions.

University life today can present financial challenges, necessitating collaborative efforts to help overcome barriers.

As a membership organisation of ISE, representing and hiring individuals from educational backgrounds, we are committed to fostering environments where everyone can thrive.

I urge our fellow members to join forces, share ideas and collaborate on initiatives that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, ensuring a brighter future for our future leaders.

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