Employer Spotlight: Caron Amsbury, Barclays — Showing Young People That Life is Full of Choices
STEM Week at Bolton Impact Trust - Youth Challenge brought together employers from industries as varied as engineering, wealth management, accountancy, and creative design. Each volunteer offered something different — but all shared one goal: to inspire students and show them the wide range of opportunities available beyond school.
Among them was Caron Amsbury from Barclays, who, alongside her colleague Phil Jones, gave students a glimpse into the world of banking, digital safety, and financial futures.
Q&A with Caron Amsbury
Can you tell us a bit about your role and the industry you work in?
For the past 10 years I’ve worked as part of the Barclays branch network. My current role is Personal Banker, where I largely deal face-to-face with customers — helping to resolve issues, open new accounts, and discuss their current and future financial needs.
What path did you take to be in that role?
I left school after my GCSEs and worked in a family-run business in Wales. While I enjoyed it, I was looking for a new challenge that suited my skills of working directly with people, being part of a team, and having opportunities to grow. After a visit to the Job Centre, it was suggested I apply for a job at Barclays — and it turned out to be a great fit.
Do you have a favourite moment from the day?
The whole experience was enjoyable — it was also a new one for me, speaking to students in a class environment. The part that stood out most was the great interaction and the questions the students raised.
What made you decide to volunteer for STEM Week?
My branch manager asked if I could get involved, and it was an easy decision. I always enjoy a new challenge, and the chance to leave the office for the day was definitely a bonus too!
What impact do you hope your involvement had on the young people?
I’d like young people to realise that life is full of choices. School is important, but it’s only one piece of the jigsaw. I didn’t get my current role because of lots of GCSEs — it was my work ethic and my previous job experiences that got me through the door. After that, it was about grabbing opportunities in the bank as and when they came along.
Has volunteering had any unexpected benefits for you?
I also volunteer with Bolton’s Urban Outreach, where each year we set up a not-for-profit Christmas Market. Volunteering gives me a chance to give back to the local community, and the feel good factor is amazing!
Why do you think it’s important for employers to get involved in schools?
School is where we first start to think about what comes next — what do we see ourselves becoming? Sometimes those choices can feel distant. Having businesses come into schools helps to bridge that gap and makes future pathways feel real.
A Huge Thank You
A big thank you to Caron Amsbury and Phil Jones from Barclays for showing students that financial services is not just about money — it’s about people, choices, and the opportunities you create along the way.
What’s Next? Opportunities for Employers to Get Involved
We’re now planning the next school year of activities, and we’d love to welcome more employers on board. Whether you’ve volunteered before or this would be your first time, your industry story could be the spark that shapes a young person’s career.
Upcoming opportunities in 2025/26 include:
Explore Your Future – Careers Carousel
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 12 employers/businesses to showcase their industry and run mock interviews
• Prep For Success – Mock Interviews
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for a volunteer to run a preparation session around what to expect and how to prepare for
interviews
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 10 volunteers to run 15-minute mock interviews
• STEM in Action Week
The week of 22 – 26 June 2026
We are looking for 5 employers from STEM industries to showcase their sector, plus 5 employers/businesses to run mock interviews
If you’d like to get involved, please contact Pam Molyneux, Volunteer Special Enterprise Advisor - [email protected] We’d love to hear from you.
Building Futures Together
Barclays is a household name on our high streets — but behind every brand are real people with stories to tell about their career journeys. Whether you’re a big name or a small local business, students value hearing how you got started and what your industry is really like. If you’d like to showcase your sector and inspire the next generation, we’d love to hear from you.
