VisionPath

About VisionPath

VisionPath operates as a specialised consultancy focused on enhancing social mobility within the early careers sector in the United Kingdom. The company was established in 2009 by Patrick Philpott, who founded the firm at the age of 18. His motivation stemmed directly from his personal experiences as a school-leaver from a disadvantaged, low-income background, where he faced limited career advice and a lack of professional networks. This first-hand knowledge of the barriers that talented young people from similar circumstances face in transitioning from education to employment forms the foundational ethos of the company.

The firm's business model is centered on designing and delivering bespoke programmes for corporate clients of all sizes, from SMEs to multinational corporations. These services are designed to help employers inspire, engage, and ultimately hire socially diverse young talent, particularly school-leavers. VisionPath effectively acts as a bridge between the business and education sectors, connecting companies with hard-to-reach talent pools through a network of hundreds of schools across the UK. Revenue is generated by providing these tailored services to employers, which can range from managing the entire hiring process—from attraction and assessment to onboarding—to offering targeted support on specific challenges. The company also advises clients on how to best utilize their Apprenticeship Levy funds to create meaningful early career opportunities.

VisionPath’s service portfolio is structured to guide both employers and young people through every stage of the early careers journey. For employers, the firm offers strategic outreach, helps build their employer brand among young people, and manages the recruitment pipeline to ensure it is filled with diverse candidates. Their programmes have been credited with helping clients rank in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. For schools, VisionPath facilitates partnerships with businesses to improve student employability. For students, the company provides the skills, insights, and opportunities needed to access promising careers they might otherwise have missed. A key argument presented to clients is that enhancing social diversity is not just a corporate social responsibility initiative but a business imperative that can lead to discovering untapped talent, improving customer understanding, and fostering a more inclusive and productive company culture.