Isle of Wight Enterprise and Skills Executive in Newport

The Solent Careers Hub is looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Enterprise and Skills Executive to lead our work across the Isle of Wight. Working closely with schools, colleges, employers, and key partners, you will play a vital role in improving careers education and creating meaningful employer engagement opportunities for young people.

Nationally the Careers and Enterprise Company has been set up to inspire and prepare young people for the fast-changing world of work. Careers Hubs lead partnerships of schools, colleges, local enterprise partnerships, local authorities, local businesses and careers providers, deploying innovative approaches to transform the careers provision and act as a catalyst, connecting employers with schools and colleges throughout the Solent to deliver a world-class locally tailored careers education programme.

Through joining a Careers Hub, we enable schools and colleges to receive professional guidance in how to develop their careers programme, peer-to-peer support access to funding and coordinated activity. The Solent Careers Hub is a partnership between Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and the Isle of Wight Council. Together, we work with schools, colleges, employers, and careers providers to improve careers education and connect young people with the world of work.

The Isle of Wight Enterprise and Skills Executive supports the local coordination and delivery of the Solent Careers Hub, working with schools and colleges across the Isle of Wight to strengthen their careers and enterprise programmes. The role helps to build effective partnerships between education providers and employers, ensuring careers provision reflects local economic priorities and creates meaningful opportunities for young people.

Through increased employer engagement and access to workplace experiences, the Solent Careers Hub helps bridge the gap between education and employment and prepares young people for their future pathways. This role will support the Solent Careers Hub to deliver against an outcomes framework focused on motivating young people and enabling them to make successful, sustained progress into education, employment or training. This work will include supporting the implementation of modern work experience, to increase the number of meaningful opportunities available for the island's young people.

The Ideal candidate

We are seeking someone who is a confident communicator, relationship builder, and organiser who can work effectively across multiple stakeholders and projects.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• A Level 3 qualification (or higher) or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience working collaboratively with employers, education providers, or other stakeholders.
• Understanding of careers education, skills development, employability, or the education sector.
• Experience coordinating programmes, projects, or partnerships.
• Knowledge of local or national skills, employment, or economic development priorities.
• Understanding of post-16 education and progression pathways, including apprenticeships and technical education.

This post will be based on the Isle of Wight and will include travel across Solent Region, including Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. This role will also include occasional travel to regional and national meetings; there may be some hybrid working depending on business needs.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.