AN appeal has been launched by Devon County Council (DCC) for local business people to support its ‘Enterprise Adviser’ initiative.

Run by Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub, the scheme currently has around 85 advisers who work closely with more than 120 schools and colleges in the area to support their careers programmes.

But now DCC is looking to boost numbers with a recruitment drive, calling for more volunteers from local businesses to sign up to the scheme.

Enterprise Advisers are professionals from any business sector or background who volunteer their time to partner with a local secondary school or college to develop and implement a strategic careers plan, DCC says.

Among them is Lisa Tomkins, from The Met Office.

‘What I particularly enjoy about being an Enterprise Adviser is the chance to provide an employer perspective on the strategic development and delivery of career provision across a school, to better enable students from all backgrounds to access the information and opportunities available for them to make informed decisions about future career options’ Lisa said.

The Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub works with mainstream and special secondary schools, FE colleges, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and alternative provision, across Devon.

Careers Hub Lead, Jo Skeel, said: ‘We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to give up some of their spare time to support local schools.

‘To deliver the best possible careers programmes, the huge benefits from businesses and employers help prepare our young people for their future careers.’

Further information about Enterprise Advisers can be found on the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub website.