Page 19 - the SyI Quarterly

Corporate Social Responsibility

#NextGen Secure Futures The desire of these young people in Manchester to
understand security and seek careers within it, in order
to make their home safe was palpable. Their lived
experiences making them laser focused and enthusiastic.
They listened to Figen Murray as she explained her route
into security and why it matters, totally silent with rapt
Programme Machester attention at the emotional delivery of the impact of real-
life incidents and tragedies.

They started to grasp how they can make security relevant
to the subjects they enjoy; there is a way into security if
Starting in 2021 we launched Secure Futures in London. you love art or design, medicine, vehicles, psychology,
We launched the idea and concept at our SyI Conference engineering or sports science, you don’t need to
in 2019, but like almost every other organisation in the compromise.
world, Covid stalled us.
The young people launched themselves head first into
Despite this setback, we planned and delivered the first the course, with total engagement and enthusiasm
virtual Secure Futures programme in early 2021 and our as they became involved in discussion sessions with
first live programme in the spring of 2022. employers, learnt how to build their self confidence, write
CV’s, undertake leadership qualifications, did exercises
Alumni graduates, from both Secure Futures 2021 & with CPNI about hostile reconnaissance and behavioral
2022 London programmes, came to visit us face to face detection around Manchester train stations. They learnt
at the 2022 Security Institute AGM. how to DENY, DETECT, DETER.
The police North West ROCU team gave their time and did
There they presented about the benefits of being on the programme. They spoke to our patron, Her a LEGO cyber exercise to bring to life the concepts behind
Royal Higness, The Princess Royal, who referenced them in her closing speech. We are all passionate cyber security.
about supporting and encouraging youth, piquing their interest about careers in security, educating
them about how vast the security profession is and asking our colleagues and peers to start thinking Our final exercise was a “Dragons Den” - their task was to
about the future and giving young people not only a voice, but a chance. devise an APP that could keep them safe in Manchester.
Teams pitted against each other to present their ideas and
Thank you to all the supporters in the audience who listened to our young people and saw the potential, sell their version of the APP to the dragons.
because of you we were able to take secure futures on the road.
Week two saw the delegates working and learning with our
This summer, we took a trip north for the Security Institute and the EY Foundation Secure Futures host businesses, gaining invaluable experience within a
programme as we arrived to put on a show in Manchester. It is our vision to make the Secure Futures working security environment.
programme truly national. Some totally
amazing work by the EY foundation team in In the blink of an eye it was over and our graduation
coordinating the entire event. Hosting in their ceremony was held at the iconic and very beautiful
offices in the heart of Manchester and bringing Edwardian Hotel
in local security professionals to make the
subjects relevant to the 14 young local people The funded programme, starts with a 2 week immersion
who were successful in their application to join into employability skills and business “work style”
the programme. experience and continues with 10 months of mentoring.

It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young
Manchester is a City united against acts of people. It couldn’t be achieved without the fantastic
terrorism. The bee symbol, a historic symbol support you give, both financial support and by offering
for Manchester since 1842 was adopted as your time and opening your organisations up to hosting
a sign to commemorate and respect the our young people during that two week initial immersion.
memory of those that lost their lives in the
Manchester Arena terror attack. Every wall, Please help us take this programme to other UK cities. Get
waste bin, bollard and pavement reminds you in touch!
of the importance of security.
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