Scheme hopes awards recognition will boost volunteer plea

A careers initiative backed by Derby City Council that helps thousands of school pupils is hoping that being shortlisted for a regional award will help with its plea for more volunteers.

E4E, which was set up by the city council in 2014, provides CV writing workshops, mock interviews, mentoring and a Dragons’ Den -style Enterprise Challenge Day, where secondary school pupils pitch a project to business leaders who volunteer for the session.

Last year, it was shortlisted for an East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Award and manager Arshad Iqbal hopes that this recognition will be the catalyst as he seeks more volunteers from the business community.

He said: “E4E relies solely on a dedicated group of volunteers from businesses in Derby and Derbyshire but, as demand for our sessions grows, we really need to add to our pool of volunteers.

“Careers education in schools has changed so much, particularly over the last five years.

“There have been huge transformations in schools using the Gatsby Benchmark – eight markers that provide a clear framework for organising the careers provision in schools and colleges – and the bar is now raised.

“For schools to organise an event such as something like a morning of mock interviews can be hugely time-consuming.

“We have volunteers from various sectors – global organisations such as Rolls-Royce and Lubrizol who have presence here in Derby – that we can tap into, but there are so many other businesses whose expertise we would appreciate sharing with young people across the city.”

A robust careers structure can often be seen as a positive by government inspectors Ofsted and schools including Da Vinci Academy, Allestree Woodlands and The Bemrose School – who all have close links with E4E – have been reaping the rewards.

Arshad said: “We really need more people to volunteer their services for E4E to continue the good work we have done in the city and to help raise aspirations of the students.

“It also boosts their self-confidence and knowledge of careers and opportunities.

“Volunteering is a great chance to give back, particularly during these challenging times.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer for forthcoming E4E events at Chellaston Academy, Littleover Community School or Allestree Woodlands can email e4evolunteer@derby.gov.uk or call 07812 130527.