Could you be an enterprise adviser?

What is an enterprise adviser?

Enterprise advisers are senior businesspeople who volunteer to help young people make informed careers choices. These volunteers help to bridge the gap between school and the world of work, and support careers leaders and senior staff in the school or college to create opportunities for young people.

Why should I volunteer?

As a senior person in business, you have real-world skills and experience that are invaluable to help demystify the world of work for young people.

Becoming an enterprise adviser will also help you, both personally and professionally. Volunteering helps you to give back to your local community, meet new people and expand your network, learn new skills, contribute to the future supply of good local employees and raise the profile of your business.

What qualifications do I need?

You don’t need to be a qualified teacher and you don’t need to have worked in schools before. You just need to be resilient, solution-focused, passionate about making a difference and keen to use your skills, knowledge and business experience to provide advice and expert support.

What training and support will I get?

Enterprise advisers have an induction and then a combination of local training and self-paced learning courses.

Each enterprise adviser will be supported by a named enterprise co-ordinator, who is part of the local careers hub team. You can join in with networking events to meet other advisers from the region, and might be “buddied” with a more experienced adviser for support. There is also an online community of more than 4,000 enterprise advisers from across the country.

What is the time commitment?

The minimum term for enterprise advisers is one academic year, but most carry on beyond that. The average adviser volunteers about four hours each month, either in a face-to-face setting or online, plus associated travelling and preparation time.

Do I need to be “vetted”?

Yes, you must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Your local Careers Hub team will sort your screening checks for you.

How do I sign up?

The first step to becoming an enterprise adviser is to complete the short Register your Interest form. You should be contacted within five working days by someone from your local careers hub, usually the enterprise co-ordinator.

If you have any further questions and you can’t find an answer, email careershub@marcheslep.org.uk