Become an Enterprise Adviser

Help to build connections between schools and local employers, improving the career prospects of young people

The CIPD is proud to be partnering with the Careers and Enterprise Company to recruit Enterprise Advisers. The programme provides an opportunity to use your unique HR and L&D expertise to bring work to life and to shape the workplace of the future.

Enterprise Advisers are strategic volunteers on a mission to enhance young people’s futures.

You will:

Make a difference to young people’s career prospects

A young person who has four or more meaningful encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to become NEET (not in education, employment or training)

Support schools' leadership teams to develop effective careers strategies

Our network of over 700 Enterprise Advisers are supporting the government’s mission of connecting all schools in England with an Enterprise Adviser by 2020.

Promote skills that employers are looking for

Use industry and professional knowledge to demystify what employers look for in their future talent, sharing knowledge of the labour market and promoting industry sectors.

Drive equality in careers education across England and tackle youth unemployment

Enterprise Advisers work in all areas to improve access to information, advice and networks for every student – there should be no barriers to meaningful careers advice.

As HR professionals we spend a lot of time developing everyone else – but sometimes we are not good at our own continuous professional development. The Enterprise Adviser role has become part of my professional and personal development

Anna Smith

Enterprise Adviser

Volunteering allows me to do what I really enjoy - coaching and 1:1 development. The role supports people in the early stages of their career but from a business perspective I can now make the connection with what school leavers might need when they enter the world of work. The role provides a bridge between the business and school worlds, ensuring that everything is kept current and relevant.

Paul Mehra

Enterprise Adviser

CIPD testimonial background 3

This is a great initiative – HR professionals have core skills to support careers provision. We possess coaching and connecting skills, and are equipped in integrating and joining people together.

Caroline Szumilewicz

Enterprise Adviser

Why sign up to be an Enterprise Adviser

  • Are you a senior-level HR and L&D professional with experience of developing and delivering strategy?
  • Are you assertive, persuasive and willing to drive culture change?
  • Are you motivated to bring the worlds of work and education together?

Are you able to utilise your existing networks or create new links between employers and schools? As an Enterprise Adviser you’ll be connected to a secondary school, special educational needs school, pupil referral unit or Further Education College in England for one year. You’ll spend eight hours per month providing face-to-face and remote support.

  • Personal development
  • A chance to support young people
  • A pipeline of future talent for your sector/industry
  • Insight into the challenges facing the next generation
  • Knowledge to inform your own workplace.

Find out from one of our Enterprise Advisers, Roger Wilson, what he and his school gained from being part of the Enterprise Adviser network or read about Nerys Thomas' and Nick West's experiences below.

PDF download

Case study: Nerys Thomas

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PDF download

Case study: Nick West

(241 KB)

Simply follow these steps to get involved as an Enterprise Adviser:

  1. Register your interest via a short online cipdenterpriseadvisers.co.uk
  2. You'll be contacted by email with information on the next stage.
  3. Submit an application form and CV via email.
  4. Have a short telephone interview with the CIPD.
  5. The CIPD refers you to your Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
  6. The LEP matches you to a school or college.
  7. You become an Enterprise Adviser, using your skills and knowledge to help schools.

Looking for more information?

Download our Enterprise Adviser promotional leaflet for more information on the programme.

For any questions, feel free to contact our Social Impact and Innovation team today on enterpriseadviser@cipd.co.uk

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