A project which works to increase public engagement with Hull’s library service is partnering with businesses across the city to boost skills and recruitment.
Curiosity, which is funded by the James Reckitt Library Trust, kicked off the initiative by capturing video interviews with people from the team of more than 500 at leading law firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits.
With input from the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (HEY LSIP), Curiosity is in the process of setting up future filming sessions with major employers in a variety of other sectors.
The footage will be used on the Curiosity website and social media channels to help people – and especially younger audiences – find out about the career options available and the skills and qualifications required to pursue them.
Wilkin Chapman Rollits became the largest law firm operating out of both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire following the merger of Wilkin Chapman and Rollits, which took effect in April.
James Marsden, Partner and joint head of the firm’s Hull office and who also heads up the firm’s Beverley office, was one of five people interviewed by Joe Sargieson of Jay Jay Media – one of several local SMEs utilised by Curiosity – about his current role and his wider career.
James said: “This is a brilliant project. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what is involved in qualifying as a lawyer and this gives us a chance to show people the different options they have.
“The onus and emphasis is on us as an employer to highlight the different routes to the qualifications. It’s particularly important for us to get across the message that people who haven’t got law degrees can still become professionals in our firm.”
Others who faced the camera were Lucy Trynka, a specialist employment solicitor based in Hull, and Brandon Tranmer, a paralegal in the firm’s Hull office. They were joined by Grimsby-based colleagues Barney Seamer, a trainee solicitor, and Catherine Muxlow, a support services manager.
Lucy revealed that she considered several career options before she settled on law and Brandon said he initially wanted to be a journalist.
He added: “I was really excited about taking part in this project because it’s a great initiative and if I can help people who are in a similar position to me a few years ago it’s a brilliant use of my time.”
Linda Cook, HR business associate in the firm’s Hull office, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to showcase the roles that we have because skills and recruitment are so important.
“We also see Curiosity as a great project generally and we didn’t hesitate when we were asked to become the first business to take part in an initiative which will help to develop skills in the local area.”
Hannah Crookes, project lead for the HEY LSIP, said: “We’re grateful to Curiosity for giving us the opportunity to connect them with local employers. We expected a positive response from Wilkin Chapman Rollits because they regularly attend our employer forums and we are in the process of bringing in more businesses from a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing, transport and hospitality.”
Dave Lee, creative director of Curiosity, said: “We launched in 2024 and we’ve had a fantastic response from people who are really enjoying exercising their curiosity. They’ve been coming to us with all sorts of questions, working with us to find the answers and re-discovering the libraries and library services as part of that.
“The project with businesses is particularly important because it will help people across the local community find out more about the careers that are available and the qualifications and skills needed to pursue them.
“We’ve got some great business lined up so we’re really grateful to Wilkin Chapman Rollits for getting things off to a great start and to the LSIP for introducing us.”