ISO Quality Services connecting business and education

20 Dec, 2017

ISO Quality Services Limited are proud to announce their involvement in The Careers Enterprise Company (‘CEC’) a body focused on connecting schools and business.

The CEC are a national network that connects schools and colleges, employers and career programme providers to create high impact careers opportunities for young people.

Earlier this year, Jennifer Appleton, Director at ISO Quality Services Limited, was approached by the Worcestershire LEP to become an Enterprise Advisor (‘EA’) for the CEC.  After finding out more about the role, Jennifer was keen to become involved.

Jennifer comments “The Enterprise Advisor role appealed to me straight away.  I think it is important for businesses to engage with schools as much as possible.  As a Director of a local business I get approached a lot to be involved with schools, but it has always been difficult to engage due to often a lack of information as to what schools are looking for or continuity between schools.    The difference with the EA role is that I get to work specially with one school (in my case RGS Worcester) and really see the impact of the efforts that myself and the school are putting in.”

The EA role is 100% voluntary, taking up around 8 hours a month with the relevant school personnel to talk through ideas that the school can implement.

On 16^th November 2017 as part of her role, Jennifer joined education professionals from across the country at RGS Worcester to promote the Enterprise Advisor scheme to them.  Also speaking on the day was Sofia Nicholls, Head of Careers at RGS Worcester, Kim Cook from Worcestershire Apprenticeships and Chris Morris, Learning and Development Advisor at Mazak – one of the biggest employers of apprentices in the region.

Mrs Nicholls of RGS is a huge advocate of the scheme and RGS pupils are already reaping the benefits of the programme.

Since being involved in the project with RGS, three key initiatives have developed:

• The monthly careers seminar where a business professional goes in to the school to talk about their profession or sector to a group of pupils over lunchtime in a relaxed informal setting. So far speakers (sourced from Jennifer’s vast network of contacts) have included those in the media, recruitment agents and graphic designers.
• The Enrichment Programme for Lower and Upper Sixth pupils to do visits to companies and build links and a rapport with potential employers.
• The Careers Expo which sees over 100 businesses exhibit at the school.

Further, Jennifer has been involved in some interesting projects with RGS helping to connect the pupils with local businesses.  These include:

• Mock interviews with Directors of local businesses;
• Panel discussions in front of 120 students;
• CV and interview writing skills; and
• A mini Dragon’s Den.

Worcestershire is proud to highlight that all 50 educational establishments have now committed to this innovative initiative. However, Jennifer and RGS are keen to promote the Enterprise Advisor role to other business leaders both locally and beyond.

If you are a business leader willing to support this this programme by becoming an Enterprise Adviser or feel your organisation could help by participating in the careers activity being delivered within our schools then please contact CEC@worcestershire.gov.uk for further information.

The CEC Enterprise Adviser Network in Worcestershire is being delivered by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council.