- London Enterprise Adviser Network will expand to support all state secondary schools, Pupil Referral Units and Further Education Colleges in London by 2020
- The programme helps to prepare young people for the world of work by connecting senior business volunteers with London schools
- All schools will be given access to an Enterprise Adviser, a business volunteer working in a senior role, who will help the school to increase business engagement and develop a whole school careers plan
- The announcement forms part of Mayor’s launch of his new Skills for Londoners Strategy
The Mayor has announced the expansion of the London Enterprise Adviser Network (LEAN). The Network supports schools to prepare students for world of work. It does this by connecting senior business volunteers (Enterprise Advisers) with schools and colleges.
Enterprise Advisers work with careers leaders in schools to increase business engagement and develop a whole school careers plan. This introduces students to employers and the world of work and inspires them to make informed decisions about their careers.
The expansion is co-funded by Careers & Enterprise Company as part of their network of more than 2,000 Enterprise Advisers and 2,000 schools and colleges across the UK. By 2020, 470 secondary schools and further education colleges across London will be supported by up to 700 Enterprise Advisers, with volunteers from all industries and business types involved.
The LEAN will help schools work towards meeting the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks that represent best practice in careers education. Encounters with employers and employees is highlighted as being a vital part of this best practice, with research showing that a young person who has 4 or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training, and can earn up to 22% more during their career.
The LEAN expansion is part of the Mayor’s new Skills for Londoners strategy that will ensure all Londoners have the skills they need to fulfil their potential. The strategy includes the Mayor’s ambition for an all-age careers offer, of which the London Enterprise Adviser Network will form a core part. This will work with schools to improve their careers provision and to promote opportunities for students to get an early start in career skills.
London is one of the world's leading economic centres, while also being a hotbed for innovation, creativity and design. This means there are tens of thousands of exciting job opportunities for young Londoners. As Deputy Mayor for Social Mobility, it is my job to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, is able to access these roles. The expanded London Enterprise Adviser Network will connect even more schools with London’s employers. This will help to ensure that all young Londoners can build the networks they need to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Matthew Ryder, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement.
We are delighted that the London Enterprise Adviser Network is planning such impressive growth and expansion as announced by the Mayor of London today. Working in 470 schools and colleges, and with over 600 business volunteers in the coming years means that the young people of London will be given the support and inspiration they need to ensure they are prepared for the world of work and so they have the bright futures they deserve. Claudia Harris, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company.
We’re proud to be supporting the expansion of the London Enterprise Adviser Network, which gives our employees the opportunity to help inspire the next generation to successfully achieve their career ambitions. By sharing their own experiences and working with those who deliver careers advice in London schools, our employees, as Enterprise Advisors, will be supporting young people to realise their aspirations. Tricia Wright, Chief People Officer at Transport for London.
If you are interested in supporting or taking part in the programme, please do get in touch via email.