To mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, James Brand, Managing Director at United Cast Bar and D2N2 Board Member tells us what he enjoys about being an Enterprise Adviser and why he’d encourage others to volunteer.
At United Cast Bar, we are passionate about connecting young people to our world, developing real life work experiences and expertise to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and engineers.
Being part of Enterprise Adviser Network is voluntary but hugely rewarding. We work closely with colleges and schools to develop, support and improve engagement, to create a meaningful, broad picture and experience of working life.
We strive to integrate our world of manufacturing and engineering into the education curriculum, to give context to what is being taught in the classroom – maths including basic sums and trigonometry, physics and chemistry looking at metal elements, temperature and liquid to solids formation, IT, different languages are needed for global communication.
As a result of my role as an Enterprise Adviser, I have had the opportunity to use my business experience and network to help develop and implement an effective careers programme. This helps to ensure the next generation arrives with more awareness and preparedness for the next steps in their career.
I would urge anybody thinking of becoming an Enterprise Adviser to apply. It doesn’t take up too much time and the commitment is flexible around your own schedule – but it gives you a real opportunity to influence the future talent pool in a way which benefits everyone.
Enterprise Advisers
Enterprise Advisers work closely with a school’s Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement an effective careers strategy that puts opportunities with local employers at the heart of a young person’s education.
Everyone who becomes and Enterprise Adviser is supported by a full-time D2N2 Enterprise Coordinator and a range of practical resources – along with benefiting from a chance to broaden their own network of contacts further.
Volunteering as an Enterprise Adviser is a great way of developing your own skills while getting young people excited about your industry, it’s also a great way to raise awareness of your business in the local community.
Our Enterprise Advisers have already made a huge difference in the lives of young people in D2N2, with your help, we can help even more!
