Careers and Enterprise Company Initiative

What is the Careers and Enterprise Company Initiative?

The Careers and Enterprise Company was established in 2015 to help link schools and colleges to employers, to transform the provision of careers education and advice for young people and inspire them about the opportunities offered by the world of work.

The government was determined that schools, colleges and employers should work in partnership to spread outstanding careers advice, guidance and inspiration to every young person across the country, regardless of their background or location.

What is the aim?

The initial focus of the Careers and Enterprise Company was to improve employer engagement through the creation of the Enterprise Adviser Network and to support schools to increase meaningful  careers activities which required employer involvement and would help them to build long lasting employer relationships (Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6).

Due to the success of the EAN a 2-year pilot scheme was launched in the North-East in 2016 whereby a group of schools worked in a ‘hub’ to try to achieve all the Gatsby Benchmarks. The effect on the Benchmarks was so positive that this led to further hubs being created in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Worcestershire LEP in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council tendered a successful bid for a Careers Hub in July 2018 which was the beginning of the Early Careers initiative.