Skills Factory seeks Enterprise Advisers to connect the world of education to the world of work

By Black Country Skills Factory
schedule9th Mar 16

After the successful launch of the Careers & Enterprise Company Enterprise Adviser Programme in 2015, the Black Country Skills Factory is now seeking a second wave of senior level business volunteers (Enterprise Advisers) to continue the rollout of the initiative across secondary schools in the Black Country.

The Enterprise Adviser programme aims to help address the lack of knowledge and limited engagement with the world of work faced by many young people.

The Skills Factory are seeking high calibre volunteers from business, (employed or self-employed) to fulfil the role of Enterprise Adviser and work in partnership with the Education Business Partnerships across the Black Country.


Main purpose of the role

Enterprise Advisers will encourage schools to explore a wide range of employer interactions as part of a wider school strategy of careers, enterprise and employer engagement.

Supported by an Enterprise Coordinator, the Enterprise Adviser will work closely with the senior leadership team of a specific school or college to:

- Support the development of a whole school strategy for careers, enterprise and employer engagement

- Provide access to their local business networks

- Help schools and colleges to focus efforts on programmes and activities that are most effective in motivating young people, supporting independent choice, and supporting positive outcomes for young people.

Further information about the role can be downloaded here.


Skills and Experience

Volunteer Enterprise Advisers can be from any sector and will receive information and guidance via an Enterprise Coordinator. The Black Country Skills Factory is looking for individuals who are:

- Senior level experts in their own sector and able to develop an understanding of the wider local labour market and promote its needs.

- Prepared to commit to a school for at least one academic year with a time commitment of up to one day (or part day) per month.

- Willing and able to act as a ‘broker’ rather than deliver activities directly to schools.


What you will get out of it

This is a unique opportunity in which to support a local school or college in improving opportunities for young people and supporting the development of your future workforce.

Many senior business people have expressed they would like to have the opportunity to interact with schools in their local area but have not previously had the support or structure to do this. This programme will provide easier access to schools and colleges and is a chance to join a network of employers in which to resolve local skills issues.

The role is an opportunity for people to draw on their own business expertise to support schools in developing their careers and enterprise strategies; in addition to developing your own employees.


Interested? Apply now! 

We are receiving applications for the role of Enterprise Adviser. Submit your application here. The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday 21 March 2016.

Successful candidates will be contacted by Deniece Gabriel, Enterprise Co-ordinator, within 4 weeks of the closing date and will be expected to attend Enterprise Adviser workshops and networking events. The first workshop will commence on Wednesday 13 April 2016.

Please note all volunteer Enterprise Advisers will also need to be DBS checked.

If you would like further information, please contact Deniece Gabriel on 01384 471133 for an informal discussion.


For further information, please visit:

www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/schools/careers-enterprise-company-enterprise-adviser-programme