E4E appeal for volunteers

Published: 13 April 2021

Would you and your company like to inspire young people to find their calling? Derby City Council’s Enterprise for Education (E4E) team are joining forces with Our Future Derby to appeal to employers to join their volunteer workforce to inspire future generations of workers by volunteering in a local school.

Since 2014, the E4E team have worked with hundreds of local employers to deliver careers activities to local students. These hugely successful events connect employers to local young people, seeking to raise aspirations, raise interest in local employment options and build confidence in our future workforce.

The impact of COVID-19 on children and young people has been devastating and the effects will be felt for many years to come. There have been huge changes to sectors where young people would have often entered the labour market, rises in unemployment and a reduction in employment opportunities. Young people need careers support more than ever.

That’s why the E4E team have teamed up with Our Future Derby, who deliver careers related learning activities in local Primary Schools, to call on employers to join one or both of their schemes where employees can volunteer as little as two hours to help out in a school.

E4E volunteers will support activities such as mock interview sessions, CV workshops, facilitation of Enterprise Challenge Days (think The Apprentice crossed with Dragon’s Den), careers talks and 1 to 1 mentoring. E4E will provide all the materials and offer briefing sessions and/ or training for all activities.

Whilst E4E welcome interest from all, the team are particularly keen to recruit role models - under 35’s, BAME and those from a disadvantaged socio-economic background. Visit the E4E website to find out more and to get involved.

Our Futures Derby seeks to broaden the horizons of all primary age children within the specified schools as well as reducing stereotypical ideas around future careers and employment, through delivery of careers related learning.

They have selected 6 key sectors they are particularly looking for support from in Primary Schools, but would welcome volunteers from all backgrounds: Construction & Manufacturing (including engineering & nuclear), Health & Care (including key workers), Information Technology (including digital skills), Art & Design (including creative & digital industries), Energy & the Environment (including water, waste & transport - with a focus on sustainability), and Retail & Hospitality (including media and sports), but are keen to hear from all who have a few hours to offer.

Find out more about the Our Future Derby project here.

Arshad Iqbal, E4E Manager, said:

I’m really proud of the work we’re doing and delighted to be teaming up with Our Future Derby.

Employers or employees can sign up for one, or both schemes… we are jointly working towards a brighter future, improved prospects and better preparation for the future workforce in Derby and beyond.

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