Careers Hub Boost as 100th Enterprise Adviser Joins Up

Greater Lincolnshire, which was granted Careers Hub status by the Department for Education in August 2021, now has over 100 representatives from local businesses acting as Enterprise Advisers.  

Enterprise Advisers are individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to support the development of careers and skills programmes. They help schools’ careers leaders to connect with businesses and offer work experience opportunities for young people as they transition into the world of work. 

Sarah Makey, Finance Capability Manager at the Department for Education and the LEP’s 100th Enterprise Adviser, said: “I am absolutely delighted to start my volunteer role as an Enterprise Adviser - and most importantly to be partnered up with Tollbar Academy in Grimsby.  

“It’s both surreal and a huge honour to think that I am able to give some expertise back to a school that gave me so much. I left Grimsby to embark on an apprenticeship within the Government, and I’m so excited be back and now part of a movement bridging the gap between education and employment – opening up opportunities on our doorstep here in North-East Lincolnshire and broadening horizons further afield.” 

Advisers are matched with careers leaders in schools and colleges, and the relationship is facilitated by Enterprise Coordinators who are employed by the LEP. The overall aim is to enable schools and colleges to deliver a well informed careers programme supported by the private sector.  

Lee Douglas, Strategic Careers Hub Lead for the LEP, said: “To reach 100 volunteers is a huge achievement and testament to the employers of Greater Lincolnshire. Our Enterprise Advisers are the beating heart of the network, each giving up valuable time to ensure schools and colleges are supported to help every child find their next best step. I thank every one of you and look forward to welcoming our 101st member!” 

Over 90 businesses spanning a wide range of industry sectors are involved in the programme, including representation from LEP’s game-changer sectors such as defence and security, the UK Food Valley, the Humber Freeport, and green energy.  

Enterprise Advisers can also support their own businesses through the scheme by attracting young talent, showcasing their organisation and vacancies to the local community, and cementing succession planning. 

The Careers Hub also facilitates access to higher education. In March, students from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Horncastle took part in a Q&A panel with local employers at the University of Lincoln’s UCAS exhibition which allowed them to learn about different career paths on offer.  

Sarah Holmes, Careers Lead at QEGS, said: “Being able to experience the fabulous facilities in the Lincoln Medical School combined with hearing such wonderful anecdotes from a fantastically varied panel of volunteers and student ambassadors at the UCAS exhibition made it a truly outstanding experience for our students.” 

Donna Jarvis, Careers Lead at St George’s Academy, Sleaford, added that the Careers Hub has been “invaluable” in supporting its careers fairs, saying: “Donna Garrard, our Enterprise Co-ordinator from the LEP, went above and beyond at our careers fair. It was a fantastic event and feedback has been really positive from staff, students, parents, our senior team and governors.”  

Each geographical area in Lincolnshire has its own dedicated Enterprise Co-ordinator, facilitating links across their patch with schools, businesses and third-party organisations. The Enterprise Co-ordinators also provide specialist support to schools and colleges on the Gatsby Benchmarks, a gold-standard framework for CEIAG. 

The Careers and Enterprise Company published national data that suggests if a school meets all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, a student in that school is nearly 10% less likely to be NEET (not in employment education or training) upon leaving formal education.  

Evidence also shows that young people who have four or more encounters with employers are less likely to be NEET when they leave school. 

The Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub is managed by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and funded by Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North-East Lincolnshire Council. Careers Hubs are a national initiative part-funded by the Careers and Enterprise Company, a subsidiary of the Department for Education.  

If you want to find out how to become an Enterprise Adviser, visit the webpage here or email Natalie.poole@lincolnshire.gov.uk.