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.

Claudia Harris from the Careers Enterprise Company joined representatives from the Black Country LEP including the newly appointed Black Country Careers Enterprise Co-ordinator, Amy Meyers, to meet staff from RSA Academy to begin implementing a strategic careers and enterprise plan for the school.

To support Amy Meyers, the Black Country LEP is seeking to recruit Enterprise Advisers from business, employed or self-employed, to encourage schools to explore a wide range of employer interactions as part of a wider school strategy of careers, enterprise and employer engagement.

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive, Careers Enterprise Company said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the Black Country LEP to roll out the Enterprise Adviser Network. We had a fantastic trip to the Black Country including a great visit to the RSA Academy which has an excellent approach to enterprise. We are looking forward to working closely together in the months to come”.

Amy Meyers, Black Country Careers Enterprise Co-ordinator said: “I am delighted to be joining the Black Country LEP to directly support their commitment to creating partnerships between business and schools to support improved educational attainment. With 12 years experience in FE and employer engagement, specialising in apprenticeship and traineeship recruitment, I am motivated by achievement and believe that young people deserve the opportunity to develop their skills and gain full time permanent employment.

“My role will bring the worlds of work and education together ensuring that young people are prepared for employment and colleges and training providers offer relevant training to fill current identified industry skill gaps.”

Daulton Redmond, Principle, RSA Academy in Tipton said: “The RSA Academy is delighted to collaborate with the Careers and Enterprise Company. This new partnership will allow Industry and Education to work together, to inspire and support the Academy’s students, offering them first-hand knowledge and experience that will help prepare them for their future careers.

“We are hoping that working with the Enterprise Co-ordinators will help our students access the High Value Companies that support the best apprenticeships and opportunities.”

The Careers & Enterprise Company has invested £100,000, with equivalent match funding offered through the LEP and affiliated partners, to deliver the project through to September 2016. The Black Country LEP aims to link 45 Black Country schools with an Enterprise Adviser working in partnership with the Education Business Partnerships across the Black Country.