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OUR STORY

The Drive for Social Mobility

For years, social mobility in the UK has remained stagnant. Many individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face systemic barriers to entering professional careers, regardless of their potential.

While diversity and inclusion efforts have made progress in many areas, the gap in social mobility remains one of the biggest workforce challenges. The stark reality is that many talented individuals never get the chance to prove themselves because they lack the networks, resources, and opportunities available to their more privileged peers.

Elevate 1000 was created to break this cycle. Our mission is to provide structured paid internships that serve as a direct bridge into full-time careers—not just temporary opportunities but sustainable, long-term change.

Unlike traditional recruitment models, Elevate 1000 prioritises inclusion from the ground up, ensuring that those who have historically been excluded from professional industries have the chance to thrive and progress.

The Problem

Why Social Mobility Is Stagnant

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of workplace diversity, the UK continues to face serious challenges in social mobility:

✅ Only 9% of UK leaders come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

✅ Graduates from working-class backgrounds earn 17% less than their more privileged peers in the same roles.

✅ Employers continue to rely on elite networks to recruit talent, making access to opportunities highly unequal.

✅ 78% of organisations struggle to attract talent from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The impact of this inequality is not just felt by individuals—it affects businesses, the economy, and wider society. Without proactive intervention, companies miss out on high-potential employees, industries lack fresh perspectives, and the UK workforce fails to reflect its true diversity.

Elevate 1000 is here to change this narrative by providing structured, meaningful access to careers—not just jobs, but long-term professional success.

Who We Work With

For Individuals

We support individuals from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds by providing:

✅  Access to exclusive paid internships.

✅  Career coaching and mentorship.

✅  Networking opportunities with top employers.

✅  A clear route into permanent employment.

For Employers

We help businesses create real impact by:

✅  Providing access to a diverse pool of motivated interns.

✅  Supporting ESG, DEI, and workforce diversity goals.

✅  Creating a sustainable, long-term talent pipeline.

✅  Delivering measurable social mobility impact.

Why Social Mobility Matters for Businesses

For companies, social mobility is not just an ethical issue—it is a business imperative. Research shows that:

Research shows that

By partnering with Elevate 1000, businesses gain access to highly motivated talent, improve their workforce diversity, and position themselves as leaders in social impact.

Social Mobility

Be Part of the Movement

Elevate 1000 is more than a programme—it is a national movement to transform the future of employment. By working together, we can create real opportunities for individuals who need them most and help businesses lead the way in social mobility.

Join Us Today

For Employers

Become a Founding Partner and shape the future of inclusive hiring.

For Individuals

Apply for a paid internship and start your journey towards a successful career.

Together, we can elevate opportunities, elevate talent, and elevate the future

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