Last week, pupils from Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham visited Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood at his office in Whitehall. The young people were invited by Sir Jeremy, the UK's most senior civil servant, to showcase the benefits of the London Enterprise Advisers Network. They also heard more about careers in the civil service.
The Enterprise Adviser Network is helping to prepare young people for the world of work by connecting businesses with schools. Enterprise Advisers, who are business volunteers, are working with schools to develop careers education and business engagement strategies.
This is ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills they need to fulfil their potential. Team London and Mayor’s Fund for London are delivering the Network in London on behalf of the government-backed Careers & Enterprise Company.
The visit showcases the invaluable learning opportunities and development experiences that the young people have been offered as part of their involvement with the Enterprise Adviser Network.
They were also given a unique insight by Sir Jeremy and his senior colleagues into the many and varied career paths on offer in the civil service.
Billy Simson, a pupil at Jo Richardson, said:
Visiting the Cabinet Office and meeting Sir Jeremy Heywood has been an amazing opportunity and an eye-opening experience. I had considered a career in the Civil Service but after today, I now have a much better idea of what it would involve.
Ges Smith, the school’s Headteacher, said:
The visit to the Cabinet Office allowed a group of young people not only to experience the excitement of such a high profile event, but also to feel that their voice is being heard in relation to many of the issues that are both important to them and which affect them directly.
Omy Lawal, legal support for Sodexo and an Enterprise Adviser with Jo Richardson Community School, said:
Moulding our future leaders is of great importance. What better way to do this than to work side by side with them to understand their way of thinking and help prepare them for the world of work so we can be assured that we are leaving the future to a well informed and ready generation.
Learn more about the London Enterprise Adviser Network
Team London and the Mayor’s Fund for London are funded by the Careers & Enterprise Company, Central London Forward, and City Bridge Trust to deliver the London Enterprise Adviser Network. The programme is fully funded and offered to state primary and secondary schools in 18 boroughs.
Team London is now recruiting more London Enterprise Advisers - find out more.