Employer trustee – industry engagement - Volunteer in Arlesey

We’re seeking an employer/industry trustee to support The How2Hub, connecting education with real workplaces. You will open employer networks, shape meaningful workplace experiences, and ensure our approach reflects what “good” looks like from an employer perspective.

This role will directly influence the organisation’s ability to provide real, meaningful workplace experiences. While there is strong engagement from schools, the depth and quality of employer involvement will determine the value of what is delivered. By bringing employer insight and networks, the trustee will help ensure that engagement is realistic, relevant and sustainable. This includes shaping experiences that reflect how workplaces actually operate, rather than theoretical or one-off interactions. The role will also improve credibility with businesses. A trustee with industry experience signals that the organisation understands employer needs and is building in a way that works for them. This will support stronger partnerships and increase the likelihood of repeat engagement. Ultimately, the impact of this role is increased access. More employers engaged in a structured way will lead to more consistent opportunities for young people to see and experience the world of work, supporting better-informed decisions and clearer pathways into employment.

Qualifications & Experience

We are looking for someone with strong experience in business or industry, ideally with responsibility for operations, people, partnerships or growth. This could include senior leaders, business owners or individuals with experience managing teams and external relationships. The most important requirement is a practical understanding of how workplaces operate and how businesses make decisions. This includes awareness of time pressures, operational constraints and what would make employer engagement feasible and worthwhile. We are particularly interested in someone who can open doors. Access to networks across one or more sectors would be highly valuable, as would experience of building partnerships or working collaboratively with external organisations. Experience of engaging with education, training or early careers programmes would be beneficial but is not essential. More important is the ability to translate business needs into meaningful opportunities for young people, and to shape experiences that are both realistic and valuable. The role would suit someone who can think strategically while remaining grounded in practical delivery. This includes being able to challenge ideas constructively, ensuring that what is proposed works in a real business environment. We welcome applicants who bring lived experience aligned to our mission, including those who understand barriers to accessing employment and progression. This will help ensure that employer engagement is inclusive and accessible.

Key Responsibilities

Our trustee board is being established with strengths in education, funding and finance. We are already working with schools through the Monday Club pilot and developing partnerships with colleges and universities. The next stage is expanding employer engagement to ensure consistent access to real workplaces. We are seeking an employer/industry trustee to take a lead role in shaping this. The core requirement is to bring access to real workplaces and employer networks, helping the organisation move from early engagement to a broader, more structured employer base. You will work with the board to define what high-quality employer engagement looks like in practice. This includes shaping site visits, employer encounters and real-world projects so they are valuable to both young people and businesses, while remaining practical and low-disruption for employers. A key responsibility will be supporting the development of employer relationships. This may include opening introductions, advising on how to approach different sectors, and helping position the organisation in a way that resonates with businesses. You will also help ensure that the employer offer is clear, credible and aligned with how organisations operate. There is scope to contribute to or lead a small employer engagement sub-group as the organisation grows, helping coordinate activity and maintain consistency across partnerships. This is an important stage. There is clear interest from schools and early traction in delivery, but scaling depends on the strength and quality of employer engagement. This role offers the opportunity to shape how businesses interact with education in a structured and meaningful way.