My Journey as an Enterprise Adviser: Championing Skills, Apprenticeships, and Enterprise

A blog by Hollie Whittles, Enterprise Adviser, Director of Purple Frog Systems and National Policy Champion for Skills and Apprenticeships, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Collaboration is key 

I've had the privilege of being an Enterprise Adviser (EA) for over six years, during which time I’ve been on an incredible journey with Haberdashers’ Adams School. It’s been immensely rewarding to use my influencing skills and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to build on their commitment to supporting career progression. Today, we have a dedicated full-time resource for careers, which feels like a monumental achievement. This success is a testament to the power of a collaborative approach; bringing the entire staff team along on this journey has been essential. 

Apprenticeships: More than a backup 

As the National Policy Champion for Skills and Apprenticeships on behalf of FSB, I am passionate about developing young people's skills and showcasing all available opportunities. At Haberdashers’ Adams School, we have been on a mission to amplify apprenticeships and technical routes, ensuring that young people see these as ‘first choice’ options rather than backup plans. While awareness of apprenticeships is at an all-time high, we still need to convert young people’s interests into uptake. This means removing barriers and placing emphasis on opportunities within our future growth sectors. 

Embedding an enterprise culture   

A significant part of the EA role involves engaging with schools to break down stereotypes. This work isn’t always directly with young people; it’s about ensuring that the career provision is fit for purpose at an institutional level. It’s essential young people have meaningful interactions with businesses at the right time.  

As an EA, I’ve been able to help develop a stronger employer network by using the voice of student alumni. We’ve run successful Dragon’s Den events, inviting people from industry to be the dragons, and giving young people a glimpse of what it looks like to run a small business. By embedding an enterprise culture within educational institutions, we are not just preparing students for the workforce, we are equipping them with the mindset and skills necessary to navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving economic landscape. 

Calling on more entrepreneurs to join our mission 

Being a small business owner presents its own unique challenges, but there’s nothing quite like it. So, how can educators be expected to prepare young people for entrepreneurial paths if we, the business owners, are not front and centre to share our stories and demystify misconceptions? 

2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week, and I urge you to get involved. Being an Enterprise Adviser isn’t easy, and it’s not designed to be; you will need to be motivated, curious, resilient, and able to step outside your comfort zone—all the traits of a successful entrepreneur. 

Around 4,000 dedicated business volunteers representing over 2,000 employers are already involved. There are so many benefits, for you personally and for your business, in playing a part in CEC’s mission to help every young person find their best next step.