Help ‘rewrite the story’ for students looking for future careers

Business people across Shropshire are being called on to help change the way young people are helped into career choices – by sharing their experience and expertise with schools and colleges.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers and Enterprise Company has joined forces to encourage employers and their employees to sign up to a scheme to help develop world-class careers advice across the Marches’ schools and colleges. 

Enterprise Advisers take on a strategic role within a school, working with both staff, governors and students to bridge the gap between education and the workplace.

James Staniforth, a director of the Marches LEP and chair of the Marches Skills Advisory Panel, said the Enterprise Adviser Network scheme helped to give youngsters an inspiring insight into the world of work while delivering high-quality careers advice and resources. 

“We know that this has been a difficult year for many businesses, but we are hoping that employers and their staff will be able to see the benefits of volunteering to inspire young people and make a real difference in their lives. We also know there are concerns about how Covid-19 and the lockdowns may affect the future opportunities for our youngsters.

“This makes Enterprise Advisers even more important. We want to help fire up the imaginations of young people, encourage them in their interests and passions and work with schools to help translate these into real prospects for future career choices.

“We have great businesses in our region, across multiple sectors and this is a chance for employers to engage with their community, the centres which are educating their potential future workforce and young people who deserve high quality careers advice.”

An Enterprise Adviser is a volunteer from business who works closely with the headteacher or Senior Leadership Team of a school or college to provide strategic support.  

Advisers use their business experience and professional networks to help develop and implement an effective careers strategy that puts opportunities with local employers at the heart of a young person’s education. 

Enterprise Advisers can come from different industry sectors and professional backgrounds, be that employed, self-employed or recently retired.  

Advisers are supported by a trained, full-time Enterprise Coordinator and have access to a range of practical resources. They can also benefit from peer support from other volunteers and broaden their network of contacts further.  

To get involved and register your interest visit https://enterpriseadviser.careersandenterprise.co.uk/