SEGRO is partnering with Pathways to Property to invite sixth form students, particularly those from backgrounds that are under-represented in the sector, to find out more about careers in real estate and help develop the skills to succeed in the world of work. As part of the Responsible SEGRO commitment to increase diversity and make the property sector more accessible to a broader cross-section of society, the company is promoting two initiatives to young people living near its developments. The company is helping to support a fully funded three-day virtual Summer School with the University of Reading. Students will attend taster lectures, take part in a group project based on a SEGRO development and learn to network with key individuals. As part of the Pathways to Property programme, students also have the opportunity to attend a funded work experience placement in their home area, have access to an e-mentoring programme and apply for a bursary of up to £30,000 over three years to study a property related degree at University. SEGRO will also host a webinar from which participants will have the chance to get first-hand insight from people who work at the company about potential career paths, as well as learning about a key topic in the industrial property sector – data centres – and why they are so important to everyday life. The Summer School and webinar will be delivered through Pathways to Property, a programme run by the Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF) at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Neil Impiazzi, Partnership Development Director at SEGRO, said: “We want to make a positive and enduring change to our business and industry to inspire the next generation of property professionals. A career in real estate provides so many exciting opportunities, and we are challenging ourselves to get that message out there to the most diverse audience possible. Pathways to Property provides us with an excellent opportunity to equip young people with the skills and opportunities to succeed in our sector and we look forward to welcoming students from the local communities around our developments.” Paddy Allen, Chair, Pathways to Property, added: “Pathways to Property has run eight Summer Schools with 701 students having attended, and we’ve enabled 310 students to take part in work experience since the project began. 47 per cent of Summer School attendees have been female and 84 per cent have no family experience of higher education. It’s thanks to companies like SEGRO that we are able to open up these opportunities to people who have traditionally not had the chance.” Improving the skills of local people to enhance their career and employment opportunities and increasing the overall diversity of its workforce are integral parts of the Responsible SEGRO commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good. Pathways to Property is just one of the initiatives SEGRO is supporting or delivering to help achieve this.