Ever considered supporting schools and colleges to shape their careers provision?
We caught up with one of our newest business volunteers to find out how the role of an Enterprise Adviser (EA) can make a huge impact.
James Taylor, CEO of recruitment company Macildowie signed up as an EA earlier this year to work with the Head Teacher, Keith Hobbs and Careers Leader Geoff Dixon at Stephenson Studio School in Coalville.
Why did you decide to become an Enterprise Adviser?
“I didn’t feel the careers support I received whilst at school was enough. My careers advice or rather a ‘careers conversation’, left me feeling ill equipped when considering the future.
After my involvement with the LLEP’s World of Work careers resources, I realised I wanted to make an even bigger impact on careers education. Coalville was my hometown, so it just made sense to work with Stephenson Studio. I’m passionate about making sure opportunities are available for all, especially helping vulnerable and SEND students. Careers education in schools and colleges needs to show students what is out there and how to move away from less traditional career choices and pathways.”
What are the benefits for your business of becoming an Enterprise Adviser?
- You get to access and develop local business networks and raise the profile on your industry/sector.
- An opportunity for you to build on your own professional development including communication and strategic leadership skills.
- The chance to use your skills to give back to your local community through a better understanding of the challenges faced in the education sector.
For a school, what are the advantages of having an EA?
Keith Hobbs, Head Teacher of the school said,
“We really have hit the jackpot with James Taylor as our Enterprise Advisor. James clearly has a talent for bringing out the best individuals and organisations! Together, we have already taken significant steps towards achieving our mission of delivering world class careers, employability and enterprise education.
“Our school and our students are so much richer because James decided to ‘give something back’. I hope that our partnership provides reciprocal benefit as Business and School Leaders work together to shape the future and change lives.”
To become an Enterprise Adviser and learn more about the ways it can support your own professional development and add value to your local community, please get in touch with us at ean@llep.lccwp-dev.tibushost.com or follow us on Twitter @LLEPCareersHub
