Are you passionate about improving young people's futures? Can you help schools connect with the world of work? Hertfordshire LEP is recruiting volunteers to join its Enterprise Adviser Network, as part of the national Careers and Enterprise Company programme.

We are currently living through a period of rapid change and uncertainty, and it is particularly uncertain for those shortly leaving education and looking to enter the world of work. Businesses are scaling back entry-level recruitment in the face of the pandemic, limiting opportunities for young people entering the jobs market. Now more than ever, we need good careers education and guidance in schools to help prepare young people for the challenges that lie ahead.

Enterprise Advisers are business volunteers who work directly with schools to help them develop effective careers education programmes and raise the aspirations of young people. By joining our network, you will develop your leadership skills, support your local community, and play a crucial role in helping the next generation of talent get ‘work ready’. You will also strengthen your organisation’s relationship with local schools and have a platform to promote your sector and profession directly to a diverse pool of young talent.

If you are an experienced professional with demonstrable strategic, project, or business management experience, and a confident communicator who is passionate about improving the career prospects of our young people, then we would like to hear from you. You must be living or working in Hertfordshire, be able to commit to one meeting every two to three months, and attend ad hoc meetings and events for at least one academic year. This programme is currently run virtually, however could in future include face-to-face meetings with careers leaders during school hours should the circumstances allow.

Interested? Please email your CV and a brief introduction of yourself to steve.trotter@hertfordshire.gov.uk and gareth.dace@hertfordshirelep.co.uk.

We are particularly looking for Enterprise Advisers who can be matched to:

Here’s what our current Enterprise Advisers have to say:

“What I enjoy most about the EA role is facilitating links between school and employers. Demystifying the world of work and supporting the development of key skills that will enable young people to flourish and grow after they have left full-time education. I’ve also met lots of new people and have enjoyed sharing best practice and interventions that work.”
Ruth George, Enterprise Adviser for Kings Langley School

“On a personal level the role has brought some incredibly enriching experiences where I have been able to meet and interact with teachers and students. On a professional level it has been amazing to develop our relationships in the local community and to share some of GSK’s resources.”
Nicci Smith, Future Talent Programme Manager, GSK – Enterprise Adviser for Pinewood Special School (Ware)

“SWR’s mission includes 'enhancing lives in the local community' and I believed the EA role would provide opportunities to achieve this. I also knew our staff were keen to support young people from the way we had previously approached apprenticeships and work experience activities in such a positive and proactive way. Working directly with the students has been fantastic, and with so many colleagues embracing EA related work in the same way, it sparked a feel-good factor at SWR and added to a greater sense of purpose throughout the whole company.”
Jason Lee, Managing Director SWR Garages, Hemel Hempstead – Enterprise Adviser for Astley Cooper School