Renew

CONCLUDING REMARKS

RT. HON. JUSTINE GREENING Chair; Purpose Coalition and founder of the Purpose Goals (Levelling Up Goals)

BP IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST EXAMPLES OF A COMPANY THAT IS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SOCIAL MOBILITY AND LEVELLING UP THE UK. AS PART OF ITS PURPOSE TO REIMAGINE ENERGY IT IS REIMAGINING OPPORTUNITY FOR WIDER SOCIETY.

It delivers on levelling up through its support for education at every level across the UK. Its work inspires young people, encouraging and energising the next generation, helping them to gain a better understanding of the importance of STEM subjects for the energy industry and for their futures. It recognises that the right skills are key to enabling the energy transition to happen, for example through its funding of AFS Global STEM Changemakers programme, which funds 5,000 full scholarships places, over 5 years, for young people to experience immersive learning experiences through STEM, global competence, and sustainability-focused intercultural exchange programmes. It also delivers positive impact internally by ensuring that it attracts and retains early career talent into the company from more diverse backgrounds and from less conventional routes.

The company is now looking to take its efforts on levelling up and social mobility even further as part of its extensive plans for change. With the introduction of its Social Mobility Framework for Action, it aims to scale up its social mobility efforts. This includes inspiring through education, upskilling through work experience, offering employment through apprenticeships and piloting an approach to engaging the supply chain on social mobility in Aberdeen and Teesside. It should continue to set itself goals in each of these areas, particularly in social mobility cold spots.

Crucially, it has also committed to collecting the socioeconomic background of its employees and is aiming to increase representation of those from the lowest socioeconomic backgrounds. By measuring, establishing clear goals and timelines and assessing its progress, it is setting an example that other businesses can follow. Although this process can be challenging, it is an essential part of moving forward on the levelling up agenda. A continued commitment to it from BP will ensure that its work will have a lasting and significant legacy on those communities it serves.