News

Leap into Action with Young Enterprise and help inspire London's new generation

Gosbert Chagula — 02 Feb 2012

A small army of 45 volunteers is needed to help young people in London beat the threat of unemployment. And since 2012 is a Leap Year everyone has an extra day - so why not donate it to the future of our young people?

Today's media is awash with grim news about how well over a million young people aged between 16 and 24 are now unemployed. At the same time the bosses of Britain's biggest companies are constantly quoted saying young applicants for employment lack skills needed to hold down a job. Yes it's depressing reading. But can you do something to help? The answer is: yes you can.

Young Enterprise, Britain's largest enterprise education charity, is hugely active in London. Every year we inspire over 10,000 young people aged 4-25 in the region to learn about business and the world of work in the classroom under the guidance of volunteers. This year we have so many students signing up that we need more than 45 volunteers to help deliver our programmes.

The programmes include 'Learn To Earn', which explodes the myths of the celebrity lifestyle and underlines the value of education, and 'In Business With the Games', an exciting Olympic themed enterprise challenge.

So what qualifications do you need to join us? Volunteers need only to have experience of the world of work and a desire to inspire young people to take control of their futures. Their job is to guide and advise the pupils through the structured Young Enterprise programmes using their own story, enthusiasm and career experiences to help them understand the realities of working life.

We will offer you training at a session in February and every volunteer will get a very detailed handbook to help them make the day a success. Young Enterprise staff will also be on hand throughout. Although the Leap Year is our theme we hope you will enjoy the experience so much you will want to become a long term volunteer with the organization.