LEP Enterprise Advisers Inspiring Young People

26.03.2015

A programme bringing together schools and business leaders to support and develop talent in young people, has today celebrated the successful completion of the first stage of the project.

Businesses, school leaders and education support organisations gathered today to share key findings from the LEP’s Enterprise Advisers pilot and kick off the next stage of the project.

100 business leaders have volunteered to become Enterprise Advisers through the pilot and are working with school leadership teams to embed entrepreneurial skills within 50 secondary schools.

Speaking at the event, Roger Marsh, Chair of the LEP said:

“I’m delighted that business people from a range of industries have committed to helping shape the next generation of young people with entrepreneurial values and open their eyes to the opportunities of enterprise.

“The Enterprise Adviser project is about bringing schools and businesses together to give young people the information, encouragement and confidence they need to acquire the skills that will serve them well in our changing economy, and today is about sharing ideas and building on best examples.

“I look forward to seeing the ideas arising from this pilot taken through into the next stage of the project.”

Students from Moor End Academy in Huddersfield were present at the event to share with delegates how they’ve worked with businesses and the community to establish work-ready skills. The students have undertaken a number of activities and developed their skills and confidence, including working with local company Cummins Turbo Technologies to understand the opportunities in STEM careers.

Delegates also heard from Johanne Gilroy from the National Careers Service about the ‘Inspiring Yorkshire and the Humber’ project.

The Enterprise Advisers programme forms part of the LEP’s ambition to build a skilled and flexible workforce, and is one of only six pilots being run across the country following Lord Young’s report “Enterprise for All.” The programme aims to link business and schools together to give young people experience of careers and vocational pathways as well as an opportunity to gain the enterprising qualities needed in a fast changing economy.