Become a Sheffield City Region (SCR) Enterprise Adviser

1st June 2016

Become a Sheffield City Region (SCR) Enterprise Adviser help to bridge the gap between education and employment and become part of a national network of forward-­â€looking employers.

Enterprise Advisers are volunteers from the world of work who help the leaders of local schools and colleges to prepare young people for future jobs and careers. Advisers are supported by Enterprise Co-­ordinators. The Local Enterprise Partnership is looking for volunteers to engage with every school and college in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. You will need to be strategic and well connected with an interest in developing a future talent stream. For more information and to register your interest, visit: www.enterpriseadviserSCR.org.uk SHEFFIELD'S FIRST ENTERPRISE ADVISER IS APPOINTED A female engineering boss is the first in Sheffield to support a new regional campaign that is matching employers with schools and colleges. The Enterprise Advisers programme for Sheffield City Region aims to bridge the gap between education and work, and promote the skills needed by the workforce of the future. Marie Cooper is Plant Manager and Director from top Sheffield engineering company President Engineering Group Ltd (PEGL) on President Way, which is part of global manufacturing giant Parker Hannifin. Marie has been matched with Bradfield School on Kirk Edge Road, where there is a strong tradition of interest in engineering and enterprise, and she is convinced of the value of the programme for addressing the major skills gap in engineering. She said: -We need talented young people to secure the future of our industry, but we don't just want high grades. It's all about the wider skill set. That's why working with schools is important. Employers can help to inform the curriculum and support schools in developing the broader qualities and skills that young people need for a successful future. Donna Barker, Assistant Head at Bradfield School, said: -Bradfield School places a great deal of value in working with employers and engaging them in direct contact with students. We believe it is highly important our students are involved in activities beyond the classroom and gain experience of the world of work. She continued: -Having a locally based Enterprise Adviser who is willing to get to know the school well is vital. They bring new ideas and local connections; along with a strategic perspective on how best to develop our employer engagement opportunities, enabling us to reflect on and expand what we are already doing." Enterprise Advisers will help schools and colleges to prepare young people for future jobs and careers, develop a whole school strategy for careers, enterprise and employer engagement and link them to local business contacts and networks. Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is one of five regions nationally that took part in a pilot phase of the programme last year. The pilot scheme was a success and is now being rolled out across the UK. The LEP wants to match a volunteer Enterprise Adviser from the business and public sector with every secondary and special school and college in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: -This initiative is important because it provides strategic support to schools and colleges. We would love to hear from other business people who are interested in giving some time as an Enterprise Adviser or who might visit schools to give talks in assemblies, tutor time or to work on curriculum projects. The programme, supported by the government funded Careers and Enterprise company, is recruiting volunteers from employers in all sectors to work with headteachers and senior leadership teams in schools and colleges to improve careers and enterprise education. The volunteers need to be senior and well-connected professionals or business people who can help to increase the quality and quantity of careers and enterprise learning.