For 15 years, Bank of America and Education and Employers have worked together to bring the world of banking to life for young people, challenging perceptions and introducing them to careers they may never have considered.
To mark this milestone, two days of celebrations brought together volunteers, employees, clients and over 60 students.
15 years of making a difference
What started as a partnership to demystify banking has grown into a programme reaching young people across the country, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
117,000+ young people reached
550+ schools involved
1,472 Bank of America employees registered as volunteers
The impact goes beyond the numbers. 94% of young people discovered a job in investment banking they hadn’t previously known about, while 93% felt more confident they could access careers regardless of their background or gender.
Celebrating 15 years of working together
The celebrations began with a presentation of the partnership’s results and discussions about the future of employer engagement.
How we bring banking to life
A key part of our partnership has always been giving young people the chance to experience the world of banking first-hand, meet people working in the sector and discover the opportunities available.
The anniversary celebrations were no exception. On the afternoon of day one, 60 Year 12 and 13 students from four schools visited Bank of America’s offices for a hands-on experience of banking.
Students took part in a trading simulation, investing a virtual £100 across different companies, responding to market forecasts and breaking news.
They also met volunteers and clients over lunch and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bank.
“The talks with professionals were really useful because we could ask questions directly and learn how they got to where they are today. This event gave me a much better understanding of the different roles available and the skills needed for them.”
Year 12 student, Avanti House Secondary
Recognising the volunteers who make it happen
Day two included an information session for Bank of America employees and a special event recognising the volunteers who have made such a lasting contribution.
45 employees have volunteered for more than 10 years, with just 10 collectively reaching over 30,000 young people.
Special recognition went to Andrea Sullivan for 14 years of volunteering, Sajana Kabaria, winner of the 2026 Above and Beyond Award, and Radha Kachiraju, who has reached nearly 11,000 young people.
A partnership built on people
The partnership combines Bank of America’s commitment and the experience of its employees with Education and Employers’ Inspiring the Future programme, connecting volunteers with schools and young people across the country.
“One of the reasons I am so passionate about supporting Education and Employers as a Trustee is because exposure can change the course of a young person’s life. When young people meet professionals who share their experiences, challenges and successes, it helps them see new possibilities for their own future. Over the past 15 years, Bank of America volunteers have played an important role in inspiring thousands of young people, and I am proud to be part of a partnership that continues to make such a lasting difference.”
Brooke Wachtel, Head of Corporate Banking Switzerland
A single encounter can change a young person’s perspective, while a long-term partnership can create opportunities for thousands of young people.
Looking ahead
A huge thank you to Bank of America and every employee who has given their time and shared their experience over the past 15 years.
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to building on that success, helping even more young people to discover different careers, build their confidence and break misconceptions and stereotypes.
Get involved
Work for Bank of America? Join your colleagues in inspiring the next generation.
Could your organisation help inspire its future workforce? Find out how we work with employers and industry partners.