A new partnership between His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Hugh Baird College has provided students with a unique opportunity to gain industry experience, tailored mentorship, and valuable insight into career pathways within HMRC.

Established as part of HMRC’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people in the region, the scholarship programme enabled learners to develop their professional skills while exploring potential futures within the organisation.

HMRC is 1 of the UK’s largest employers, with over 66,000 staff working across a diverse range of roles, including digital specialists, data analysts, policy makers, and government communicators. As the UK’s tax, payments, and customs authority, HMRC is responsible for collecting the revenue that funds vital public services across the country.

Applicants from Hugh Baird College — an Ofsted Outstanding college — to the scholarship programme participated in a thorough selection process, which included a written application, an interview, and a role-matching stage to align their skills and aspirations with appropriate opportunities.

The successful students began the scholarship programme earlier this academic year and recently completed their final week of placement. The scholars were:-

· Mollie Neilds studies Business Level 3 at Hugh Baird College and undertook a role in Customer, Process and Design.
· Dominic Parr is studying Business Level 3 at Hugh Baird College and took part in a role in the Sustainability Team.
· Luke Gibbons studies Business Level 3 at Hugh Baird College and undertook a Recruitment Marketing role.
· Rafi Uddin, a Level 3 Engineering student at Hugh Baird College, took part in a Data Science and AI role.

Each scholar was placed in a key role aligned with HMRC’s operations and strategic priorities. Those working in Customer, Process and Design gained valuable insight into user experience and service enhancement. Sustainability scholars contributed to HMRC’s green initiatives, exploring how environmental considerations shape policy development.

In Recruitment Marketing, students gained hands-on experience in talent attraction and employer branding strategies. Meanwhile, those in Data Science and AI explored emerging technologies, including participating in an interactive AI workshop where they created their own song — an experience they described as both exciting and inspiring.

Matty Ellison, Outreach Project Lead at HMRC, commented:- “The work we are doing with Hugh Baird College is part of our vision to create an enduring legacy in the area, enriching the community that we have been a part of for many years. The scholarships have helped students begin to think about the transition to a workplace environment. At HMRC, we are more than just tax, we have 23 professions in a variety of roles including Digital, Finance, HR, and Communications. The scholarship placements this year have been a fantastic opportunity for the students. The feedback received from all involved as been positive, the wider programme of work we are doing to support and develop students at the College during this pilot year has been a real success, and we want to build on that again next year.”

Dominic Parr, a Business Level 3 student at Hugh Baird College who completed his scholarship within the Sustainability Team, said:- “I really enjoyed the scholarship at HMRC. It completely changed my mind set and now I’m thinking about doing an apprenticeship rather than going to university. Giving presentations really boosted my confidence and I was surprised by how well it went and felt proud of myself. Sitting in on sustainability discussions and seeing how big decisions are made by the senior management team was a fantastic and worthwhile experience.”

Rafi Uddin, a Level 3 Engineering students at Hugh Baird College, said:- “Working in the AI and Data Science department at HMRC was an amazing experience. I got to see how real data is used to solve big problems and make important decisions. It was exciting to be part of a team, and I felt trusted, supported, and encouraged to ask questions. It really helped me grow in confidence and confirmed that I want to work in tech or data in the future.”

Ashley Rae, Head of Personal Development at Hugh Baird College, commented:- “I have been truly touched by HMRC’s generosity and commitment to investing in Hugh Baird College learners. Their innovative practices have not only provided our scholars with exceptional opportunities but have also inspired us as an institution. We are incredibly excited to see this partnership flourish in the future, and I look forward to seeing our learners continue to grow under HMRC’s mentorship.”

Those wishing to find out more about Hugh Baird College’s scholarship programmes can do so via this website.