Become an Enterprise Adviser

21st February 2024

Are you interested in helping schools and colleges shape futures? Help bridge the gap between education and the world of work by volunteering as an Enterprise Adviser.

West Midlands enterprise advisers work directly with local secondary schools or colleges as part of the Black Country Careers Hub. 

An Enterprise Adviser is a business volunteer from any industry sector or professional background who is currently employed, self-employed or recently retired and familiar with today’s workplace. 

To become an Enterprise Adviser you must be:

• Dedicated to making a lasting impact on the future outcomes of young people
• Willing to volunteer your time (approximately two meetings per term) to achieve positive change in local schools and colleges
• Able to use your core skills including relationship building and being analytical.

Sandwell Business Ambassadors Lisa Nicholson and Mark Evans are both Enterprise Advisers. Lisa said in our January news story: “I am … passionate about giving young people access to information which will help them make the best career choice and helping them find a career path which will inspire them”.

What does an Enterprise Adviser do? 

In this voluntary role you would support a school or college’s career lead to develop and evaluate their careers education plan, ensuring it is relevant to today’s workplace.

You would provide a valuable employer’s perspective on how a school or college can embed labour market information and opportunities into their careers programme.

You would also engage with local businesses and employers in your network to put a wide variety of career opportunities at the heart of young people’s education.

Why volunteer to be an Enterprise Adviser? 

There are a huge number of benefits to becoming an Enterprise Adviser, both personally and professionally. The role provides the opportunity to develop your skills in communication and strategy development. 

It enables you to support your local school or college to deliver world class careers guidance to their students. As well as building strong working relationships with them to provide insight into your organisation and industry.

Being an Enterprise Adviser allows you to better understand the education sector and the challenges faced. It is also a way to give back to your local community and grow your own or your organisation’s social value.

For more information about becoming an Enterprise Adviser in Sandwell please contact alison_danks@sandwell.gov.uk.

To learn more about other ways you can give back to Sandwell visit our giving back page. Here you will find a list of charities, voluntary groups, support organisations, sports clubs, societies, faith groups, youth clubs and music groups across the borough. 

Offering your time, expertise or skills from your Sandwell business could be transformative for one of those groups. To find out more about the Black Country careers hub visit the WMCA’s website.