A PROJECT to help students at schools and colleges learn more about the world of work has marked its third anniversary.
The Berkshire Enterprise Adviser Network links business leaders with pupils and teachers and provides support and guidance about the workplace.
Thames Valley Berkshire is now working with the Careers & Enterprise Company to roll out the programme across Berkshire through a network of enterprise advisers. Among the organisations already involved are Sainsbury’s, Mars, Microsoft, SSE and Barclays.
Allison Giles, Senior Enterprise Co-ordinator said: “We are proud that we have 40 schools and colleges in Berkshire signed up to the programme and matched with an Enterprise Adviser (EA). EAs and schools collaborate to offer students a wide range of exciting and innovative activities including workplace visits, speed networking, supporting teachers in bringing careers into the curriculum and working with the schools Careers Leads to give strategic support.
“This is a milestone achievement – and goes to show the value of business in education, along with the strategic support that local employer involvement can bring to the success of careers in schools.Programmes such as these are instrumental in helping the LEP make that a reality and contributing indirectly to local economic growth.”
Enterprise Adviser for Reading Girls School, Syreeta Harewood, Talent Partner at Redwood Technologies added: “I have really enjoyed helping the students at Reading Girls School become the best that they can be and preparing them as our future talent in the workplace. It’s been enlightening to see the challenges that schools face, but I am thrilled and honoured that I can support the school and give something back through my own experiences.”
Kate Thomson, Careers Lead at Reading Girls School, said: “Reading Girls School has been part of the Berkshire EAN for almost two years.
“We benefit hugely from our Enterprise Adviser who has supported us by providing an employer’s perspective on how we can best prepare our students in choosing a career path.
“It’s great that we have a strong female role model from the tech sector for our girls to aspire to.
“We know that the tech industry is important in our area and can offer a huge number of different career opportunities.”
