Why We Show Up for the Next Generation

Talk UK Telecom and our partnership with Bedford College.

Last week we attended an apprenticeship evening at Bedford College, and honestly, it was one of those nights that reminds you why the work you do matters beyond the day to day.

Parents and students came in together to find out what is out there, what apprenticeships are available, and what local businesses are actually looking for. We were there as an employer partner of Bedford College, and we had some brilliant conversations.

What the college is doing really matters

The collaboration between Bedford College and local businesses is a genuinely impressive initiative. The college is not just teaching students in a classroom and sending them out into the world hoping for the best. They are actively bringing employers and young people together to have real conversations about real opportunities.

That matters. A lot.

Too often there is a gap between what businesses need and what young people think businesses want. Evenings like this start to close that gap. Students get to hear directly from people working in the industries they are interested in. Parents get to ask the questions they have been worrying about. And businesses like us get to meet the people who could be part of our future teams.

The advice that actually makes a difference

One of the things that struck me on the night was how many students had a clear idea of the industry they wanted to get into, but had not yet taken any steps to put themselves in front of it.

So one of the first things I found myself saying to almost every student I spoke to was this: set up a LinkedIn profile. Today. Not when you have a job, not when you have finished your course. Now.

Start connecting with businesses in the sector you want to work in. Follow the companies you admire. Engage with content. Let people see that you are interested, switched on, and paying attention. By the time you are ready to apply for roles, you will not be a stranger. You will already be on people’s radar.

It sounds simple. But a surprising number of young people have never thought about it. And the ones who act on it early will have a real edge.

We are fully committed to this

Talk UK Telecom is proud to be an employer partner of Bedford College, and we are not just showing up to tick a box. We genuinely believe that the relationship between local businesses and local colleges is one of the most powerful things a community can build.

When businesses tell colleges what they actually need, courses get better. When students hear from real employers, they make smarter choices. When young people get into the right roles early, everyone wins: the student, the business, and the local economy.

We will keep showing up for these evenings. We will keep having honest conversations with students and parents. And if you are a young person who spoke to us on the night and wants to know more about what a career in telecoms looks like, we would genuinely love to hear from you.

If you are a business thinking about getting involved with Bedford College as an employer partner, we would encourage you to reach out to them directly. It is worth your time. These students are impressive, and the future is in good hands.