Where Young Dreams Meet Real Futures
Finnesse Future Explorers is more than a programme, it’s a movement to ensure every child can dream bigger, explore wider, and step confidently into their future.
Discovering possibilities. Building confidence. Shaping futures.
Finnesse Future Explorers is a pioneering primary school outreach programme designed to tackle the early aspiration and confidence gap in Northern Ireland.
Research shows that children form career aspirations as early as age 7, often shaped by their family circumstances and limited exposure to role models. In areas of deprivation where up to 42% of pupils are entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) many children grow up with fewer opportunities to imagine diverse career paths.
The programme brings real-world early career exploration into classrooms, combining interactive activities, role cards, fun career stories, and teacher resources. By starting early, we aim to build confidence, raise aspirations, and equip children with the skills to thrive. Finnesse Future Explorers bridges the early careers gap by giving primary pupils the tools, confidence, and awareness to imagine wider futures especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds aligning with the Skills shortages and social mobility priorities.
Careers education starts too late
In Northern Ireland & UK, structured careers education typically begins at post-primary level. By this point, research shows many children have already formed narrow views of what they can achieve.
Early aspiration gap
Many children lack the confidence, language, and awareness to talk about future possibilities, creating a long-term disadvantage in education and employment pathways.
Social mobility challenge
Young people in areas of socio-economic deprivation are less likely to progress into high-value STEM or emerging sectors, which directly contributes to the skills shortages highlighted in the Economy.
Confidence and awareness barrier
Many children lack the confidence, language, and awareness to talk about future possibilities, creating a long-term disadvantage in education and employment pathways.
Finnesse Future Explorers fills this gap by introducing early, age-appropriate, interactive career exploration at primary level, ensuring children develop aspiration, confidence, and awareness before these gaps become entrenched.
The Objectives of Finnesse Future Explorers
To empower primary-aged children (ages 5–11) to:
Discover possibilities
Broaden horizons by exposing children to a wide range of careers, including STEM, creative, community, and vocational roles.
Build confidence
Help children recognise their own skills, strengths, and potential, regardless of background.
Shape futures
Instil early awareness of career pathways
Tackle inequality
Reduce the aspiration gap for children in FSM-eligible schools and disadvantaged communities by ensuring early access to career inspiration.
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