The Black Country LEP delivered its first Business Breakfast for young people on 7th October, at Leasowes High School through the Enterprise Adviser Programme.
The Enterprise Adviser programme is a national initiative which will see 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 event saw 175 year 7 pupils meet 17 business professionals from across the Black Country as they talked about their jobs, why they do the job they do and participated in an open Q&A offering the young people the opportunity to really understand the pathways into a range of careers.
Businesses attended from a range of sectors including Legal, Manufacturing, Engineering and Sport providing an awareness of the range of industries and jobs across the Black Country as well as the routes into employment.
Jen Molloy, Head of Careers Leasowes High School said: “This has been a fantastic morning for our Year 7 pupils, a real opportunity to start thinking about where they want to be in five years time and, crucially, how they get there. Leasowes High School is delighted to be working with the Black Country LEP to connect our pupils with employers and in doing so support them in bridging the gap between education and employment.”
Deniece Gabriel, Black Country Enterprise Co-ordinator said: “The Business Breakfast has been a great success with genuine engagement and debate between the professionals who have given up their time and the young people who have attended. We hope the pupils have been inspired by what they have heard and that more employers are encouraged to join the Enterprise Adviser Network so they can share their skills and experience in schools across the Black Country.”
Jeff Nowill from Kuka Robotics said: “I didn’t know how the kids were going to respond to us but this morning has been fantastic! The children are fun and inquisitive and it’s been a great way to inspire the next generation about careers that they may not have considered. We need more meetings like this so we can bridge the gaps between schools and business.”
Lee O’Connor, Year 7 student at Leasowes High School said: “I’ve really enjoyed this morning. It’s been inspirational to see all these people here today and it’s given me a better idea of what I want to do when I leave school.”
The Black Country LEP is working with The Careers & Enterprise Company to roll out the Enterprise Adviser Programme, a national initiative, across the Black Country through a network of Enterprise Advisers.
Enterprise Advisers are volunteers from the world of work who will work directly with school and college leaders to bridge the gap between the worlds of work and employment. The Black Country LEP aims to link 45 Black Country schools with an Enterprise Adviser working in partnership with the Education Business Partnerships (EBPs) across the Black Country.
For further information on the Enterprise Adviser Programme visit http://www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/schools/careers-enterprise-company-enterprise-adviser-programme