Expanded One Million Mentors partnership to help young people build skills and secure employment

A powerful partnership that is changing lives

Mott MacDonald and One Million Mentors (1MM) is expanding its partnership in 2026 to include two mentoring programmes: one involving London-based Mott MacDonald mentors and one in the West Midlands, supported by mentors from Mott MacDonald currently working on High Speed Two (HS2). 

The collaboration uses mentoring to address one of the UK’s most pressing social challenges - supporting young people at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET). The programmes engage Mott MacDonald employees as volunteer mentors to provide consistent, one-to-one support to help mentees navigate education and career pathways while developing essential life skills.

The impact is already evident. Within the HS2 cohort alone, four mentees have progressed into full-time employment while four others have secured part-time work or further progression opportunities, demonstrating the tangible difference mentoring can make.

This year, the Office for National Statistics reported that one million 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK are currently classified as NEET. Against this backdrop, the need for meaningful mentoring and career support has never been greater.  

Image credit: Elyse Marks

Through the partnership with 1MM, Mott MacDonald is helping tackle the issue by providing structured mentoring opportunities that build confidence, develop skills and explore education and career pathways. 

Since 2024, Mott MacDonald has committed to 500 hours of mentoring with the 1MM programme, with 78% of participating young people coming from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

This partnership reflects Mott MacDonald’s wider commitment to delivering social value and creating positive, lasting outcomes for communities. By investing time, expertise and support into young people, pathways into sustainable employment can be unlocked.

Having someone there to give me that extra nudge made a real difference.

Julie Dakin, chair of Mott MacDonald’s internal corporate social responsibility strategy, said of the 2026 programmes: “Working with One Million Mentors allows us to turn our commitment to social value into real, practical support for young people. We’re proud and delighted to support the New City College Arbour Square and Isaac Newton Academy programmes in London, and 30 young people in the West Midlands. These programmes are important to us, giving our people the opportunity to share their experience, build meaningful connections and support young people as they develop their aspirations and explore future opportunities." 

Zahid Howladar, chief commercial officer of One Million Mentors said: “Mott MacDonald colleagues have supported 1MM for several years by volunteering their time as mentors, helping young people across the UK unlock their potential. We’re delighted to have formalised this partnership and expanded our reach in the West Midlands, where the impact is changing lives. Colleagues working on HS2 are building young people’s confidence and already helping them secure employment.”  

The partnership has also created meaningful opportunities for Mott MacDonald colleagues who contribute their time and experience. 

Jemma Moorhouse, Mott MacDonald mentor on the West-Midlands programme, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being a mentor with 1MM, it’s been great getting to know someone properly and seeing their confidence grow over time.” 

Through practical guidance and encouragement, the mentoring has helped to grow mentees’ confidence, develop their employability skills and empower them to overcome barriers. 

Jasdeep Lahi, Jemma’s mentee, said: “I was initially hesitant to get started because I wasn't sure how mentoring would help me. Having someone there to give me that extra nudge made a real difference. Jemma supported me with interview preparation, my CV and my LinkedIn profile. I'm so thankful. Right before an interview, we had a call where we went through practice interview questions and main pointers, which really helped.”