Two former students at One Sixth Form College (One) in Ipswich have got their first foot on the career ladder with top jobs at Superstructures and SEH French, after linking with the New Anglia Enterprise Adviser Network.
James Potter, MD of Superstructures, joined One Sixth Form as an Enterprise Adviser through the New Anglia Enterprise Adviser Network, a project supported by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, in 2018. James volunteers his time to support One in developing their careers provision, raising aspirations and ensuring more students have encounters with the world of work. After meeting Liam Swann in a 1:1 chat, he offered him an interview.
Liam is delighted to be starting his first role with James and is keen to work on projects like his college building. “My career dream would be to be responsible for a large construction project like Suffolk One,” he said. Superstructures will part fund his degree course and he will qualify as a civil engineer.
Emma West followed a similar path to Liam and was one of the students linked with James in 1:1 interview to help boost their employability skills.
She said: “Some of my family have jobs in construction, so I knew it was the sort of environment I wanted to work in. I did some research as I wanted to do an apprenticeship that would enable me to also study for a degree qualification.”
Through linking with James, Emma was introduced to Simon Girling, MD of SEH French, and has now been offered a Trainee Quantity Surveyor position which involved studying a QS Degree funded by SEH French.
The New Anglia Enterprise Adviser Network recruits senior business leaders to work voluntarily with secondary schools and colleges. Enterprise Advisers work strategically with senior leaders in schools and colleges, supporting them to develop and enhance their business engagement plans.
Suffolk One, the only Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ Sixth-Form in Suffolk, partnered with New Anglia LEP’s Enterprise Adviser Network to support learners gain insights into the world of work and support One’s careers strategy so that the college is preparing students for an ambitious career pathway beyond One.
Glen Todd, Enterprise Adviser Network Manager, said: “It is great to see that Superstructures and SEH French have provided these apprenticeship opportunities to Liam and Emma as a result of their engagement with the Enterprise Adviser Network.”
Deputy principal at One Sixth Form College, Michelle Hughes, said, “As a sixth form, we pride ourselves on the opportunities that we offer our students outside of the classroom. Working with businesses and helping our students progress is obviously high on our agenda, therefore it’s great to see Liam and Emma doing so well, and we would like to thank the New Anglia LEP and James from Superstructures for their ongoing support.”
Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, said: “The Enterprise Adviser Network actively connects businesses with young people so it is fantastic to see such positive outcomes from One Sixth Form College. I wish Liam and Emma the best as they begin their careers in our region’s flourishing construction sector.”
If you’re a business who is keen to work with schools across Norfolk and Suffolk, contact [email protected]
To find out more about the Enterprise Adviser Network, visit newanglia.co.uk/the-new-anglia-enterprise-adviser-network/
