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The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has launched a national partnership with the Careers and Enterprise Company to recruit 500 senior HR professionals to work with schools and help equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in a fast-moving labour market.

CIPD members will work with other senior business volunteers as part of the Enterprise Adviser Network, to help schools understand the local labour market and develop a whole school careers education strategy.

Announcing the partnership, Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD, said: “Far too often we hear about young people who leave school unprepared for the challenges of working life or are unaware of the opportunities. We know that one way to overcome these barriers, and help bridge the gap between education and work, is to ensure that young people receive good quality and sustained careers education, information and guidance throughout their time at school. By engaging with employers, to help school leaders understand the local labour market and make full use of the initiatives and support available to them, the Careers and Enterprise Company are putting in place a critical mechanism that will help future generations fulfil their potential.

“As HR professionals, with an understanding of current and future labour market opportunities and challenges, experienced CIPD members are well placed to volunteer for the role of Enterprise Adviser. They will work closely with schools to map out their approaches to building better careers advice and guidance, and I am confident they will have a great deal to offer to the schools they are matched with. We are delighted to be able to partner with the Careers and Enterprise Company on such an exciting programme and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on young people’s lives.”

Claudia Harris, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “People development and HR play a critical role in any organisation so I’m delighted that we have entered into a partnership with the CIPD. The knowledge and expertise that their members have of the job market and career pathways for young people will be of huge value to our Enterprise Adviser Network.

“We will be working with the CIPD to help recruit over 500 senior HR professionals to work with senior leadership teams in schools across the country to help build effective employer engagement plans. I am confident that together we can achieve this ambitious target as we continue to grow our network to equip young people with the skills, information and experience they need so they can reach their full potential.”

The CIPD has already recruited 90 Enterprise Advisers in London who have been working with teachers from both secondary and primary schools across the capital.

Describing her experience, Beverly King, a Project Manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Enterprise Adviser to Sunnyhill School in Streatham, said: “Life today is increasingly fast-paced and complicated for us all, and particularly those in the emerging generations, who can easily get lost in terms of making career choices, or be dazzled by the high expectation of achieving fame in a truly competitive world. 

“The Enterprise Adviser program helps to give young people more exposure and experience to help them make informed decisions, and broaden their current local networks and vision.  Through this scheme, I believe the children we have been working with have already gained new found excitement, motivation and aspiration to elevate them into the future and better understand the need to mix technical skills with life skills to differentiate themselves.  This scheme created excitement and a buzz for them and a great feeling of satisfaction for me to be involved.”

CIPD members interested in finding out more about the Enterprise Adviser Network or registering their interest can do so at: http://pmjobs.cipd.co.uk/job/145973/strategic-hr-volunteers-to-support-schools/