Young Enterprise North East is one of the first volunteer teams in the UK to achieve accreditation.
To achieve the status, the team had to meet a strict criteria which included demonstrating effective working relationships with local operational management teams, effective communication links with local business advisors, supporting 10-25 company-based groups, an agreed team leader, being GDPR compliant and supporting the aims of Young Enterprise.
Formed in 1962, Young Enterprise is a national charity that works with both the business and education sectors to help young people develop key employability skills outside of the classroom which they can transfer to the workplace. Its vision is that every young person is provided with the opportunity to learn the vital new skills needed to earn and look after their money, to develop an enterprising mindset and make a positive contribution to their communities and wider society.
The regional volunteer team comprises Carolyn Adgar, area manager for Young Enterprise in the North East, Tom Warnock, senior relationship manager – president’s club, North East England Chamber of Commerce, Chris Hyde, managing director, Flowing Rooflines, Gurpreet Jagpal, chief executive, Durham Group Estates, Andy Smith, director, Intimation Creative, Sarah Pavlou, programme manager, RTC North, Emma Gillespie, account manager, Activ Technology, Suzanne Wright, former senior advisor at ACAS, Sarah O’Mahoney, director, Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. Teesside entrepreneur, Claire Preston and Matthew Telling, operations manager at Westray Recruitment.
Carolyn Adgar, area manager for Young Enterprise in the North East, said: “It’s great the North East local volunteer team has been accredited. It is a credit to the diverse range of team members and the fantastic skills they bring to the table. COVID-19 has meant that we, like many other charities and organisations across the UK, have had to adapt quickly and we have had great feedback when delivering a range of digital programmes, including Employable ME and Route to Success learning modules, designed to support young people to develop the vital skills they need to learn and look after their money.”
Tom Warnock, chair of the North East local volunteer team, said: “All of the volunteers on the North East board care passionately about Young Enterprise and the young people it supports. We have all been through the education system, and we know just how important it is for pupils and students to have access to first hand guidance from business people. In fact some of the board have themselves partaken in Young Enterprise initiatives whilst at school and credit much of their development to having that opportunity.
“It’s the hard work of the board members and support of Carolyn and colleagues which has helped us achieve the accreditation. It means we can keep working to spread the word, encouraging more business people to support and schools to enrol on the many fantastic programmes available. “
