From court tours to career workshops, a trio of City firms are backing an initiative to introduce more students to the world of law. James McCreary outlines the impact Career Academies UK can have on teenagers' futures

With young people's lack of workplace skills frequently bemoaned in the media and youth unemployment at a worrying high, major law firms such as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Slaughter and May and Olswang will be running a joint initiative for the second time this summer to help raise the aspirations of young people.

All three firms work closely with the business education charity Career Academies UK, which aims to raise the aspirations of 16 to 19-year-olds, particularly from areas of social need, by giving them meaningful workplace experiences.