Black Country Careers Enterprise Advisers celebrate another year of success

An anniversary celebration event was held at the Black Country Living Museum to showcase the success of the Black Country LEP's 79 enterprise advisers who have worked with partners in The Careers & Enterprise Company programme across the area.

The Enterprise Adviser Programme is a national initiative which sees volunteers from the 'world of work' working directly with school and college leaders to help address the lack of knowledge and limited engagement with the world of work faced by many young people.

The Black Country LEP is working with The Careers & Enterprise Company to roll out the programme, across the Black Country through the network of enterprise advisers.

Colin Parker, the Black Country Skills Factory director leading the programme, said: “We are proud to say that we have 100 per cent of the Black Country schools and colleges signed up to this programme. This is a milestone achievement – and goes to show the value of business voice in education, along with the strategic support that local employer involvement can bring to the success of careers in schools.”

Ninder Johal, board member at the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “On behalf of the whole Black Country LEP board I am delighted to see this programme continuing to be incredibly successful as it completes its second year. Our collective aim is to grow the number of higher skilled and higher paid jobs in our area and crucially ensure they go to our Black Country people. Programmes such as these are instrumental in helping us making that a reality as we see the Black Country economy continue to grow.”

Thomas Graham, chief investment and strategy officer at The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “The Careers & Enterprise Company are investing almost £250,000 directly into the Black Country for careers provision and enrichment. This is to increase those vital interventions that support the Government’s careers strategy, to ensure every young person receives a meaningful encounter with an employer each year they are at secondary school.”

David Woakes, enterprise adviser from Jonathan Lee Recruitment, added: “We see it as a privilege to be involved in the Enterprise Adviser Programme, connecting young learners with business. The specific interests around engineering and manufacturing sectors are crucial for the Black Country and its future. The partnership and engagement of Jonathan Lee Recruitment in the programme we feel provides a worthwhile connection that benefits all involved.”

For further information on the Enterprise Adviser Programme visit http://www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/schools/careers-enterprise-company-enterprise-adviser-programme