Career Enterprise Network Southend- Growing Links in Business and Education.

by Startacus Admin

As you know, at Startacus HQ we are all about encouraging people to achieve their full potential, whether that’s through creating their own business, or working in a job that makes the most of their talents and skills.  We very much believe in a grass-roots approach to encouraging this kind of positive working life- and what better place to start than in our schools?  

We have been particularly inspired by the efforts of the enterprise team at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, who have been making great strides in their efforts to build positive and mutually beneficial relationships between local enterprise, and schools within the area.  

The Enterprise Advisor Network

One of the programmes that they are delivering to foster and grow these relationships is the Enterprise Advisor Network.

The programme is being headed up by Mark Sexton the Careers and Enterprise Coordinator at Southend-on-Sea borough council.  Mark told us a little more about the programme and what the council hope to achieve by continuing to raise its profile and increase participation from local businesses and schools.  

“The EAn is part of a national programme created by the Careers and Enterprise Company. It is designed to build a series of local networks of employers, employees and/or business owners who are passionate about young people and determined to inform and inspire the next generation of workers by working strategically with education providers (of all ‘types’)”

The Enterprise Advisor Network utilises the skills and experience of local businesses and organisations who play an active role in delivering the free programme, which complements each school’s existing careers department to further develop young people’s awareness and understanding of life beyond school and full-time education.

The Enterprise Advisors  will bring their expertise, enthusiasm and experience of the world of work to influence the development of a school’s strategic Careers and Enterprise policy. Schools and colleges will benefit by having their employer network expanded and being connected with associated networks of other EAs in the locality and (ideally) beyond. Schools and colleges will also be demonstrating a robust and coherent methodology to Careers IAG that could make for an impressive performance help when Ofsted pop in.  

There is also the opportunity for schools to provide an entrepreneurship focused element internally by organising events and activities. The EAn will provide information about the large numbers of external providers e.g. Young Enterprise Career Ready, DWP etc. who work in the sector.

Mark gave us a rundown of how the programme operates once a school or college is matched with an Enterprise Advisor,

“The programme involves a baseline assessment of current activity connected with Careers and Enterprise education in each school. The provision is mapped against existing policy, any gaps are identified and then strategies  should be put in place to ensure that students and young people have better access to information that can help them make informed employment and educational decisions.”

Get involved

This is a great opportunity for schools and local businesses to demonstrate how, by working together, they can create a strong and lasting legacy for the future of young people in the area.

The team at the council are keen to encourage any local schools that are not yet involved to get in touch so that their students don’t miss-out on the great opportunities the programme could bring.

They are on the lookout for enterprise advisors from the local community to help with the delivery of the programme.   

Any schools or people from the local business community who would like to get involved with the Enterprise Advisor Network, should contact Mark Sexton- Careers and Enterprise Coordinator at Southend on Sea BC.MarkSexton@southend.gov.uk or marksexton@essexworkskills.co.uk

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• #southend-on-sea
• #enterprise advisor network
• #schools
• #business community
• #enterprise

Published on: 6th July 2016