Deloitte and PwC - two of the largest professional services firms in the UK - have recently announced that they will be providing additional coaching to their youngest staff members. This move comes in response to concerns about the impact of lockdowns on the education and development of recent graduates.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education around the world, with many students having to adjust to remote learning and limited in-person interactions with peers and teachers. For recent graduates entering the workforce, this disruption has meant that they may have missed out on some of the soft skills and experiences that are typically gained through in-person teamwork and communication activities.
Ian Elliott, PwC’s UK Chief People Officer, said it was:
“understandable that students who missed out on face-to-face activities during Covid may now be stronger in certain fields, such as working independently, and less confident in others”.
Deloitte and PwC have recognised the challenge and are taking proactive steps to help their young staff members develop these crucial soft skills. Jackie Henry, Deloitte’s UK Managing Partner for people and purpose stated: “….. there is a greater need for employers to provide training on basic professional and working skills, that wasn’t necessary in prior years.” Both firms are therefore providing extra coaching and training sessions focused on teamwork and communication, as well as other skills that are important for success in the professional services industry.
This coaching is expected to help bridge the gap between recent graduates and previous cohorts who may have had more opportunities to develop these skills through in-person education and extracurricular activities. It is also a reflection of the firms' commitment to investing in the development of their staff members, particularly those who may be facing unique challenges due to the pandemic.
The idea is that some client-facing employees will receive training to enable them to coach junior colleagues, then spend time on secondment as full-time coaches, guiding on career development, performance and enhancing their skill sets. The firm will then fund the coaches if they wish to pursue formal career coaching qualifications.
Overall, this move by Deloitte and PwC is a positive step towards supporting their youngest staff members and ensuring that they have the tools and resources they need to succeed. By investing in coaching and other resources, these firms are helping to bridge the gap between recent graduates and previous cohorts and supporting the ongoing development of their staff members.
