"A focus on social mobility in education is crucial": Why BNY Mellon is backing IntoUniversity Salford

The facility, located in The Beacon Centre, is a collaboration between the University of Salford, the University of Manchester, and national education charity IntoUniversity to provide long-term educational support to young people facing disadvantage and who are typically underrepresented in higher education.

The centre would not be made possible without its valued donors, which all share values to give students from all backgrounds the best possible start in life. One such donor is BNY Mellon, who we caught up ahead of the launch to find out why they are supporting the centre and why removing barriers to education is so important. 

BNY Mellon are supporting the new IntoUniversity centre in Salford, why did you choose to get involved?

Through our philanthropic support of IntoUniversity, The Beacon Centre in Salford will become the new venue for a learning centre for students aged 7-18. Investing in education can help ensure young people have the skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers and contribute to their local economy whilst creating a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can reach their full potential.

How important is social mobility in education to you?

Through educational programmes, we can empower young people to achieve their maximum potential and become valuable contributors to society. This is not only essential for the individuals themselves but also to leverage much-needed diversity of thought, experiences, and ideas to drive innovation, economic growth and social progress.  A focus on social mobility in education is crucial, because it can help provide opportunities for individuals and groups who may otherwise be disadvantaged or underrepresented in society.

Salford, and neighbouring Manchester, is widely regarded as a place for innovation, creativity and driving technology. Do you think young people growing up here can take inspiration from that?

Young people growing up in Salford and Manchester areas can certainly take inspiration from the region’s reputation as a hub of innovation, creativity, and technology. The area has a rich history of pioneering science, technology, and engineering as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene. There are many organizations, institutions and businesses in the area that are dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity and that provide opportunities for young people to learn, explore and develop their talents. By taking advantage of these resources and getting involved in the local community, young people can learn from the area’s rich history and be inspired to pursue their own passions and interests.

Can you tell us about your developing relationship with Salford Business School?

IntoUniversity and BNY Mellon have had many points of interaction, most recently where 100 students visited the BNY Mellon Manchester office for a tour and spoke with employees about their career journeys. BNY Mellon has been actively working to increase awareness of career opportunities with BNY Mellon at the Salford Business school through BNY Mellon’s participation at the Salford Business School’s employability week. These efforts have been successful in attracting students who have been recruited to join BNY Mellon. Our collaboration has been mutually beneficial, and we hope to continue building on it in the future.

Finally, can you talk us through your Developing the Workforce of the Future framework?

BNY Mellon’s philanthropic strategy is to Develop the Workforce of the Future by providing resources and opportunities to underserved communities to create equitable career pathways. Through our LINK, LEARN and LIFT pillars, we connect individuals from diverse backgrounds to job training and skills, providing equitable educational access and build more resilient communities.

Learn more about IntoUniversity.