Celebrating the London Enterprise Adviser Network (LEAN)

Jamie Davies, Enterprise Coordinator for the London Enterprise Adviser Network, writes:

On 28 June we hosted an event at City Hall celebrating the first three years of the London Enterprise Adviser Network. This programme connects schools and businesses to help prepare young people for the world of work. Everyone involved, from Enterprise Advisers to school Careers Leaders, were eager to share stories and swap ideas, and with 200 Enterprise Advisers working with 125 schools over the past three years, there was a lot to celebrate!

It was a timely celebration, as only recently the Mayor published his ‘Skills for Londoners’ strategy. In this, he committed to offer the programme to all state secondary schools, Pupil Referral Units and Further Education Colleges in London by 2020. The event was therefore a chance for us not only to reflect on past achievements but to get excited about the future too.

There have been countless success stories over the past three years, and the event was a chance to acknowledge just some of them. Thomas Tallis School hosted a Business Breakfast to create better relationships between school and local business, and Ellen Wilkinson Primary School held a week-long event which gave students more than 10 employer encounters. Noga Verber won an award for developing a careers programme at her school and appointing a careers subject lead for each department.

There were yet more awards. Paula Arkell-Waller won Enterprise Adviser of the Year for her dedication and commitment to two schools, whilst Anne Sullivan was celebrated for inspiring her primary school pupils to believe anything is within reach. And Jake Armstrong developed a programme at his school which was specifically praised in their Ofsted report.

As the ceremony went on, the cheers just got louder. Everyone showed their appreciation to Enterprise Advisers Susan Morris and Susan Mehmi and Careers Lead Mairi Vodden as they held hands to pick up their award for Partnership of the Year. The three are a fantastic example of a successful partnership and show how the programme can lead to a great friendship as well improving the lives of young people.

Full list of award winners:

• Enterprise Adviser of the Year - Paula Arkell-Waller
• Secondary Careers Leader of the Year - Noga Verber
• Most Creative Secondary School Careers Project of the Year - Thomas Tallis School
• Primary School of the Year - Ellen Wilkinson Primary School
• Primary Careers Leader of the Year - Anna Sullivan
• Partnership of the Year - Susan Mehmir, Susan Morris and Mairi Vodden
• Inspiration Award – Jake Armstrong

As the evening ended everyone naturally began to think of the next three years of the London Enterprise Adviser Network. With the Mayor’s support, the dedication of Enterprise Advisers and Careers Leaders, and the ongoing commitment from all those who are part of the programme, as we move into the next chapter the London Enterprise Adviser Network will go from strength to strength.