THREE organisations have teamed up to create a new role that will help schools and businesses work together.
Sian Norris is the new Careers & Enterprise Co-ordinator for the The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, who partnered with Heathrow Airport to co-fund the appointment.
They said that Sian will match secondary schools with an Enterprise Adviser – a senior business volunteer – who can provide strategic guidance and support in implementing a school career plan, as well as access to a network of businesses.
And in doing so, she can help enable the expansion of the Enterprise Adviser Network in Thames Valley Berkshire and other areas local to Heathrow through the recruitment of a further 20 Enterprise Advisers from across Heathrow Airport, its supply chain and other businesses in the area.
The Enterprise Advisers will be matched to schools identified as a priority by the government, and local to Heathrow.
Sian said: “I am delighted to have become part of the CEC and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, with the added exciting opportunity of being an integral part of the Heathrow Taskforce. I recall the first moment that I read the job description and saying, ‘This is 100% for me!’’”
Sian has previously worked for a secondary school in Reading and developed successful career provision and training programmes within the healthcare sector in the South West region.
She added: “I am really enthused to relate this experience to local schools and businesses; helping them work together to develop sound strategies and innovative ideas that support our young people and ensure our local area to continues to thrive.”
Part-funding this Sian’s post was a key recommendation made to the airport by the independent Heathrow Skills Taskforce last year. In response to this, Heathrow made a charitable donation for three years.
The role of the Enterprise Co-ordinator is to lead on strengthening links between schools and colleges, employers, and careers and enterprise bodies – building on existing, successful local models and supported by LEPs.
