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Celebrating the impact of careers advisers on people’s lives


Last month, an event in Newcastle upon Tyne celebrated the impact careers guidance can have on people’s lives, and brought together careers guidance professionals to access training opportunities. Mark Fox, Careers Hub Facilitator at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) shares some highlights.

Back in 2018 the North East LEP started a network for qualified careers advisers who work in schools and colleges in our region, to share good practice across the North East. The network grew and, last month, we hosted our second conference, to celebrate the work careers advisers do in our region and to help them access training.

There’s a national shortage of careers advisers, including in the North East, and we wanted to really celebrate how important this role is, and also give existing careers advisers opportunities to upskill and focus on their own professional development, as well as that of the people they work with.

Our keynote speaker was Professor Pete Robertson from Edinburgh Napier University, who emphasised that careers guidance is all about ambition and opportunity, and demonstrated the links between careers guidance and the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Everything about careers guidance is positive and it has such an important impact on young people’s wellbeing and aspirations – and also on societies and economies. It’s about more than just work, it’s about identity, health, and making a contribution.

The North East LEP’s Economic Analyst, Thomas Athey, presented research into emergent markets in our region like cloud computing, software development and robotics, which will be shaping the careers and opportunities of the future.

And Nexus’s HR Director, Rachel Redshaw, shared how Nexus now uses values-based recruitment methods, focusing on ambition and aspiration. It’s a really interesting development which links with the new, holistic framework for careers guidance.  

Before the event, we asked members of the network what training and professional development they’d like to access and, as a result, were able to link them with a range of opportunities, including the new skills bootcamps which are being rolled out in our region, covering topics including careers advice and guidance.

We know that members also want to stay up to date on new markets, so will be arranging learning visits to employers in growth sectors in our region, so advisers can keep up to date with what’s happening in areas like energy, health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital.

That’s just a taster of the day. There was a real buzz and it was brilliant to be able to bring people together face to face.

I hope we managed to convey just how important the work of careers advisers is, especially post-COVID. It’s gives people agency, ambition, and control over decisions about their future.

We’d love to see more North East careers advisers at our next event, so if you’d like to join the network, email me on [email protected].

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BioNow conference shines light on North East health and life sciences ambitions

Dr Sam Whitehouse is a LEP board member, Executive Chairman of High Force Research Ltd and CEO of LightOx Ltd. He recently opened the BioFocus 2023 conference, which brought together the North East health and life sciences sector.

The North East has many strengths and is a great place to grow a life science business. The sector has a growing influence on the economy, with 260 health and life science businesses operating in the North East LEP area in 2022 – a 21% increase from 2015.

The total contribution of pharma manufacturing to North East region GVA in 2021 was £1.5 billion – a figure which has more than doubled since 2015.

This is something the LEP is very proud of as it continues to support the goal of creating 24,000 jobs in the sector by 2030.

I was delighted to open BioNow’s BioFocus 2023 conference at Newcastle Helix. BioFocus is a fantastic event that presents a great opportunity to promote our vision to position the North East as a leader in the development, testing, manufacturing and adoption of people-centred treatments, therapeutics and medicines.

As a community of companies, we present a very good opportunity for investment. We’re an incredibly innovative bunch of people with a lot of ambition, and a lot of talent and we like to work together.

However, there is not always the capital to realise our ambitions. Quite simply, there is still much to be done. We lag behind other areas like Manchester and of course the South East when it comes to securing private investment. We are beginning to get the momentum right in this area but it is still not quite as coherent as it could be.

We have an incubator, the Biosphere, in Newcastle full of life sciences companies, with every one of them looking for large amounts of funding. We need to really highlight what we can do and show investors that the North East is a ripe opportunity for significant investment.

Events like BioFocus 2023 are important because they bring together industry, academia, and experts within the field of life sciences and really signal to investors what we can do as a region.

It is important that we use key events like this to celebrate our innovations and achievements.

By securing more private sector investment and being prepared for future government funding opportunities, we can ensure the businesses in our sector are able to realise their full ambitions.

Health and life sciences is an area which presents huge potential for the North East. Now is the time to continue to work together, build momentum and maximise investment opportunities.

Visit the North East Evidence Hub for more statistics on health and life sciences.

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Applications invited for new role leading the North East’s transition to net zero.

Rob Hamilton, Chief Economist at the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and Helen Golightly, Chief Executive at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership,  invite applications for an exciting new role leading the North East’s transition to net zero.

Are you an outstanding professional with experience in delivering net zero projects? Are you passionate about the assets and opportunities that the North East has in energy and the contribution our region could make to national and global challenges and opportunities?

Then you could be the person we’re looking for – to play a major role in shaping the future of our region.  

We’re looking to appoint a Principal Officer for Low Carbon Growth and Net Zero. This is an exciting and challenging role that will provide the leadership, vision and direction for the North East region at a critical and exciting time as we race to meet our net zero targets and move towards a new mayoral combined authority in May 2024.  

If you are wondering why, you should join our team – here’s a few reasons…

A Net Zero Hotspot

As a region, we are committed to delivering net zero and we have already achieved a huge amount. A recent report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), with analysis provided by CBI Economics and the DataCity, identified the North East as a net zero economy hotspot.

Net Zero North East England is a newly formed partnership across our seven local authorities the public, private and voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Its purpose is to celebrate and champion net zero opportunities and successes in our region. We’re using the strength of partnership to enable change through increased innovation, improvements to our skills agenda, active prospecting for new public and private investment, and by providing open access data and evidence.

The successful candidate would have the opportunity to drive forward the vision for this partnership, with the support of a small executive team.

We have the skills, talent – and region-wide commitment – alongside the heritage and varied landscapes required to take on the challenge of net zero and, with your help, we’re ready to grasp the economic opportunity it provides.

Our Region’s Strengths

The North East boasts many assets and opportunities that were recently highlighted by the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore in his independent review of net zero, including:

  • The 27,000 additional jobs the North East will likely benefit from by 2050 as part of the transition to net zero
  • The North East experiencing the largest reduction in CO2 emissions from 2005 to 2020
  • The transition to net zero delivering £1.9 billion of gross value to the North East economy by 2050.
  • Opportunities to support the quadrupling of the UK’s offshore wind capacity, alongside the critical role which will be played by Nissan in Sunderland, and its supply chain, in supporting the country’s transition to  zero emission vehicles

Seize the Opportunity

In this role, you will be responsible for driving forward the regional strategy to seize opportunities in offshore wind, including the North East’s share of 40,000 jobs linked to the UK’s growth of offshore wind and carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).

There’s also lots of exciting things happening in our region as we pioneer new low carbon heat technologies including river source heat networks, geothermal heat from mine workings and hydrogen for heat.

The North East is the best place to test emerging energy innovations in the UK. The North East Energy Catalyst unites the region’s energy innovation and demonstration organisations, making it easy for SMEs, investors and government to access them.

As Principal Officer for Low Carbon Growth and Net Zero, you would have the opportunity to lead and shape all of these opportunities.

North East England – a great place to work and live

If you’re looking for a flexible approach to work, we will be operating on a hybrid model, so we would be open to discussing this with you. However, if you are looking to relocate here, then that’s great too. 

Our region is rich in culture, history, world heritage sites and dramatic countryside and coastal landscapes – all within easy reach of Newcastle International Airport.

From vibrant cities, to stunning coastal walks, once you’ve experienced what life in the North East has to offer, you’ll never want to live anywhere else.

We pride ourselves on being friendly and inclusive, so you’d be assured of a warm welcome as you help put the North East at the heart of the UK’s low carbon economy. And our flexible approach allows employees to have a great work-life-balance, with your wellbeing at its heart.

If you think you have what it takes to take on this exciting role and want to work with our dedicated and supportive team in one of the best places in the UK, apply now here.

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Region-wide event looks to the future of North East careers education and guidance

Careers leaders and other professionals working in careers guidance from across the seven North East local authorities gathered in Newcastle upon Tyne last week to discuss making careers education and guidance in our region fit for the future.

Organised by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), the North East Ambition Regional Careers Conference focused on changes to education and the labour market, new technologies, and helping young people develop the skills to be successful in this future world. It also addressed the role that careers guidance plays in catalysing economic growth in the North East.

Matt Joyce, Regional Lead: North East Ambition, from the North East LEP, said: “This is the only event of its kind in the region that brings together careers leaders and other key stakeholders from across the seven North East local authorities to focus on how we can support young people prepare for their future.

“It’s an important forum to share knowledge and best practice, look at careers provision on a pan-regional scale, and to make sure that the careers education and guidance young people are receiving is setting them – and our region – up for a successful future.”

Attended by careers leaders from schools, colleges and SEND schools, as well as stakeholders such as employers, governors and local authorities, the event included keynote presentations on the role of AI in education, the importance of personal guidance and the future of the jobs market in the North East. There were also updates on national policy and on practice within the North East.

Practical workshops on a diverse range of topics also shared best practice and equipped careers leaders with the tools and resources they need to deliver high quality careers education and help develop young people’s knowledge and understanding of the opportunities open to them and the skills they will need.

Ronald Burn, Head of Careers Education and Student Progress at Newcastle College, who attended the event, said: “These events provide an essential networking opportunity for careers professionals to get together and share best practice and build collaborative progression awareness of opportunities for our young people across the region.”

And Gareth McQuillan, School Improvement Adviser, North Tyneside Council, said: “It was great to see just how much is happening in the North East around careers and employer engagement.”

Matt Joyce added: “Top quality careers provision for young people is essential in helping them make decisions about their future, understand what opportunities are available in different sectors, and the range of routes into them.”

“And it’s essential that careers leaders and others working with young people are given what they need to support young people in their important decision-making. This is what will help us make sure our region has a pipeline of skilled and ambitious young people to take us forward.”

The North East LEP is supporting all schools and colleges in the North East to achieve the Gatsby Good Career Guidance Benchmarks by 2024 through its North East Ambition programme that provides year-round training, resources, updates as well as bespoke support for Careers Leaders, teachers, head teachers and governors.

Find out more about the North East LEP’s work to raise the standards of careers guidance in the region at www.NorthEastAmbition.co.uk.

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The North East LEP seeks evaluator to uncover learnings from the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan and partnership working

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) is looking for an organisation to undertake some evaluative research to uncover and explore key learnings in relation to the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan.

Emma Ward, Evidence and Evaluation Programme Manager, explains why this is an exciting project that is looking to extract learning and insights that could help inform the transition to a new mayoral combined authority in 2024.


At the North East LEP, evidence and evaluation is at heart of everything we do – together, they help us learn and improve, and live our values to think bigger and make a difference. Over the last five years we have invested in embedding reflective learning and evaluation practices across our organisation. Part of our work in this area involved the completion of an interim evaluation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan in 2021.

As the Plan is now in its final year, we are looking for an organisation to work closely with us to uncover and explore key learnings in relation to its delivery, and the role of the North East LEP in facilitating this activity. We want to explore and capture learning around our added value to the regional economy, reflecting our role in terms of programme delivery, coordination and convening, and partnership working.  

This project should not only reflect on the Plan’s effectiveness and impact where possible, but also explore organisational learning and capture what has worked well or not so well in areas such as systems and processes, delivery models, governance, and culture.

This evaluative project provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the North East LEP’s journey over the last 10 years, whilst generating new insights and knowledge that can help to inform the transition into a new mayoral combined authority. The project’s outputs and recommendations will need to be forward-looking and considerate of this emerging context.

We will work closely and flexibly with the appointed contractor throughout this project to ensure the highest quality and valuable outputs are generated. These will be shared amongst regional stakeholders and be something we can disseminate broadly via the North East Evidence Hub and other networks, contributing to our regional evidence base.

The opportunity to apply for this project closes on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at noon.


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North East LEP reaction to ONS regional labour market statistics

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Chief Executive, Helen Golightly OBE, has commented on today’s regional labour market statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The release includes quarterly data for the North East statistical region for the three month period February to April 2023. The region includes the North East LEP area and Tees Valley.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), said: “Today’s figures show that, in the latest quarter, the North East region’s unemployment rate was below the English average for the first time since comparable data started being collected over 30 years ago.

“There are over 50,000 more people in work in the region than a year ago and the unemployment rate for women in the North East was the lowest of all nine English regions. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen the biggest increase of any region in our overall employment rate and the biggest falls in unemployment and economic inactivity rates.

“But, the progress that these statistics represent is not yet shared throughout all workers – the North East’s male employment rate was the lowest among the regions, for example.

“There’s also lots we don’t know yet, including whether high national levels of long term ill health are mirrored in the region or how much of the fall in unemployment is driven by underemployment and part time work when people would rather be working full time.

“At the North East LEP, we’re focused not just on jobs, but on more and better jobs so we’ll be keeping a watchful eye over the next few months to make sure this positive news translates into well-paid, productive jobs in the key sectors which will unlock long-term economic growth for the North East.”

Further labour market analysis can be found on the North East Evidence Hub (www.evidencehub.northeastlep.co.uk). 

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Businesses invited to help Gateshead pupils with special educational needs gain workplace skills

North East businesses are invited to take part in a games tournament, designed to help Gateshead pupils with special educational needs gain the skills they’ll need in the workplace.

Hill Top School in Gateshead has been working with Corrina Mulholland and Stephanie Smith from Gateshead Community Organisation to devise ways for its sixth form students to learn about careers and develop skills needed in the workplace.

Corrina and Stephanie have been partnered with the school through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP)’s Enterprise Adviser network, which pairs business leaders with local schools to help improve careers education for young people.

“Pupils who have special educational needs don’t always get the opportunity to do a work placement, so we came up with the idea of a games tournament, which the students are organising, as a way for them to meet local businesses, gain confidence and learn new skills,” explained Corrina.

In advance of the event, pupils have taken the lead in organising the day, forming a board of directors, with responsibility for finance, marketing and catering.

On the day, the pupils will gain experience of serving food, welcoming guests and running the event, as teams compete in games of chess, draughts and dominoes.

“We’d love it if local businesses took part in the tournament, as individuals or as team,” said Corrina. “The event will help the school to build links with local businesses, and it’s an opportunity to make a real difference to Hill Top School’s sixth form pupils, as they prepare to move on from the school.”

Gateshead Games Galore takes place from 10am on Tuesday 20 June at Callendar Court extra care housing scheme near Wrekenton.

Businesses can register for a place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gateshead-games-galore-tickets-644395834287 or by emailing [email protected].

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Your opportunity to shape careers education for students in the North East

By Denis Heaney, Enterprise Adviser Hub Lead at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership


It is quite common to hear employers expressing concerns that young people joining the workforce don’t have the skills businesses require, and recognise a disconnect between the skills they acquire through school, college and universities, and those needed by the world of work.

Thankfully, things are changing. There are more opportunities for industry to work in partnership with academia to influence curriculum development, provide workplace experiences, and educate young people about the careers opportunities available to them.

One of the most successful approaches has been the creation of the Enterprise Adviser Network; a group of passionate and dedicated business leaders that work with schools and colleges to bridge the gap between education and employment, and work with teachers and young people to deliver quality careers education.

Here in the North East, we currently have 191 business leaders in our Enterprise Adviser Network, but we’re looking to boost that number and partner more industry professionals with local schools and colleges.

One of the most common questions I get from businesses when speaking to them about joining the Enterprise Adviser Network is, ‘how much of my time will it take?’ Well the good news is, no matter how much, or how little, time you have available, we can make it meaningful. I think employers often underestimate the positive influence they can make by engaging with education. It doesn’t matter if it’s 1% of your time or 100%, the support we offer ensures your time is impactful.

Being an Enterprise Adviser is about bringing like-minded people together to make a difference in education. And how people choose to do that can be very different.

We’ve had Enterprise Advisers join the Board of Governors to influence at a strategic level, and we’ve also supported Enterprise Advisers to consult on careers programmes in schools. Some Enterprise Advisers have provided a mentoring role to teachers and students, whilst others have helped deliver curriculum-based projects. Whilst the pathways have all been very different, the end result is always the same; better careers education for students, which leads to better outcomes. 

An increasingly popular area of support is improving teachers’ understanding of industry by providing time in the workplace. Teachers – along with parents/guardians – are the biggest influencers when it comes to careers guidance. By helping teachers better understand the local economy, they are more equipped to connect learning to the world of work.

Our job at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership is to ensure the engagement businesses have with schools and colleges is as much about meeting business needs, as it is improving career outcomes for students. Employers have the opportunity to influence what teaching looks like, and how the curriculum can deliver the talent and skills they need to fill the jobs of the future.

I very much see the Enterprise Adviser Network as the vehicle for industry to engage with education.

If you or your business would like to find out more about joining the Enterprise Adviser Network and inspiring the next generation about the amazing career opportunities the North East, we’d love to hear from you. You can complete an Expression of Interest via our website – www.northeastambition.co.uk – or email [email protected].

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North East LEP business support platform successful in creating jobs and economic growth

An independent evaluation of one of the region’s leading business support platforms has shown its support for North East businesses has led to an increase in jobs, productivity and economic growth.

Organisations that received support from the North East Growth Hub, which is managed and delivered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, saw, on average, a 17% increase in employment, a 22% increase in turnover, and a performance increase of £8.8k per employee one year after receiving support.

The evaluation, which was carried out by Technopolis Group, also found the North East Growth Hub has been successful in curating and simplifying the business support landscape, making it easier for organisations to access finance, navigate economic shocks – like the COVID-19 pandemic and EU exit – and better understand their individual needs.

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Since it was launched in 2014, the North East Growth Hub has been a lifeline for thousands of North East businesses.

“Between April 2018 and March 2022, more than 115,000 North East businesses have received personalised, tailored support from the North East Growth Hub, with thousands more accessing impartial advice via the website, northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.

“One area of the evaluation I’m particularly proud of is the recognition that the support provided by the North East Growth Hub is person-oriented, and that businesses feel the triage team and North East Connectors are ‘friendly insiders’; able to understand what businesses need, and how to find it.”

An econometric analysis of the North East Growth Hub looked at the business support platform’s success in delivering economic growth, increasing turnover, and improving performance in the North East economy. 

It found businesses that received support from the North East Growth Hub employed up to two new members of staff after one year, whilst businesses that didn’t receive support from the North East Growth Hub saw close to zero employee growth. Overall, 41% of businesses supported by the Growth Hub saw an increase in employee numbers over a three year period, compared to 28% of non-beneficiary businesses. Businesses aged five years or less saw an 8% increase, and SMEs with fewer than 50 employees saw a 5% increase in employment, compared to 3% for larger businesses.

Business that engaged with the North East Growth Hub also saw a significant rise in their turnover. After one year, the average increase was £378k (22%), compared with £81k (6%) for businesses that didn’t receive support. Companies operating in the manufacturing sector earned £291k more, the professional services saw a £234k increase, and businesses operating in the wholesale and retail sector reported a £170k increase in turnover. A third of businesses saw an average annual increase equivalent to £100k or higher.

The North East Growth Hub had a positive impact on the productivity of the region’s economy too, with businesses reporting, on average, an increase of £8.8k per employee one year after receiving support, compared with £0.3k for non-supported businesses. Over a three-year period, the amount of turnover per employee increased on average by £2.3k. The impact was highest for manufacturing businesses (£3.6k), followed by wholesale and retail (£3.3k), and professional services businesses (£2.5k).

Ammar Mirza CBE, Chair of the Business Growth Board at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It’s clear from this report that the impact of the North East Growth Hub on business growth and the region’s economic prosperity is far and wide-reaching.

“The North East Growth Hub has been successful in taking an often complex and confusing business support landscape, and making it clear and accessible. With further investment, it can continue to deliver on government’s ambition to level up the country, and provide the kind of human-centered, personal approach businesses want and need.

“Our approach to business support is one that works, and the North East Growth Hub is a hugely important asset for the region’s business community. It’s a trusted partner that brings business support providers together in one place. That coordination role for the business support ecosystem in the region is one of the reasons for its success, and now is the time to invest in its future; for the benefit of our region’s business community, and the economy as a whole.”

The North East Growth Hub is one of the best performing Growth Hubs in the country, with businesses that have engaged seeing average employee growth reaching 17%, compared with the national average of 14%. The 22% average increase in turnover of North East businesses also exceeds the national average of 19%. 

In addition to providing a point of access for organisations seeking business support and finance and funding, the North East Growth Hub also works with partners to deliver a number of nationally-funded business support programmes, including Made Smarter Adoption North East, High Potential Startups and the Peer Networks programme. The North East Growth Hub has played an integral role in the creation of some of the region’s leading business support services, including Scaleup North East, Supply Chain North East, and the Scaleup Leaders Academy, and it is also part of the regional Growth Hub cluster. 

To read the evaluation of the North East Growth Hub in full, visit the North East Evidence Hub.

Businesses looking for support to start, grow or improve their business can visit the North East Growth Hub at northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.