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.

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The Enterprise Adviser role has provided a fantastic opportunity for me to bring my experiences into schools and specifically to young people. It’s been rewarding being that important link to help schools and employers collaborate more.

Delphina Johnson

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I have worked in graduate and apprentice recruitment for seven years now, but the Enterprise Adviser role gave me the opportunity to get first-hand insight into the world of secondary education. I have also been able to use the experience to demonstrate my own development.

Hazel Bradford

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This is a great programme that allows you to use your skills in a completely different setting, get creative and make a difference. It has been a fantastic experience so far – can’t recommend it enough!

Aline Barlier

  • 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.

If you’re based in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or even further afield and would be unable to provide face-to-face support, you may want to consider becoming a Remote Enterprise Adviser. Remote Enterprise Advisers provide support to their designated school or college primarily via video call technology. We're piloting the remote initiative in Cornwall only at the moment. The role is ideal for a volunteer who feels comfortable supporting a school remotely and has a good understanding of the labour market trends and challenges faced in remote areas.

  • 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.

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 Member, Branch or Community Engagement team today on enterpriseadviser@cipd.co.uk

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