Employers & Volunteers

• Inspire the next generation. Help young people understand the opportunities available across the South Midlands and raise aspirations by sharing real-world experiences and career journeys.

• Shape your future workforce. Engage with future talent early, helping young people develop the skills, behaviours and knowledge your sector needs.

• Raise your organisation’s profile. Showcase your business, industry and career pathways to students, educators, parents and local communities.

• Access a coordinated programme of opportunities. Receive tailored support from the Careers Hub to connect with schools and colleges in ways that align with your capacity and business objectives.

• Join a network of like-minded employers. Collaborate with organisations across Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire that share a commitment to developing local talent.

• Support social mobility and inclusion. Make a meaningful contribution to ensuring every young person, regardless of background, has access to inspiring employer encounters and opportunities.

• Develop your employees and leaders. Volunteering as mentors, speakers or careers champions provides valuable professional development, communication and leadership opportunities for staff.

• Influence careers education locally. Help schools and colleges understand industry trends, skills gaps and emerging labour market opportunities, ensuring careers programmes remain relevant.

• Stay connected to regional priorities. Gain insights into education, skills and workforce developments across the South Midlands while helping to shape future initiatives and partnerships.

• Make a lasting impact. Whether you offer a workplace visit, mentoring session, industry talk or strategic partnership, your involvement can help shape brighter futures for young people and strengthen the region’s economy.

There are three different membership options in the Employer Network. You will be asked which membership you are applying for on your application. Don’t worry if you’re unsure, we can support you during your induction.

• Company Membership: Using the support of the SMCH Employers’ Network, Company Members will develop a company-wide strategic approach to their school or college outreach programme. ​Each companies’ main point of contact will be a senior member of staff who will share plans with their wider staff network.

• Individual Membership: For members who want to support as an individual rather than planning a companywide strategic plan.​ They may have signed up themselves or have been referred via a Company Membership. They will usually offer operational support to schools and colleges but may be asked to support strategically depending on the individual.

• Apprentice Membership: Apprentices who want to use this as an opportunity to develop themselves and promote apprenticeship opportunities. ​Usually, they will have been referred to sign up via a Company Membership. They will mainly support operationally but may be asked for strategic input depending on the individual

As a member of the South Midlands Careers Hub Employer Network, you’ll gain access to a range of opportunities, resources and support designed to help you maximise your impact on young people while supporting your organisation’s talent, social value and workforce goals.

• Regular newsletters and updates keeping you informed about opportunities, events, regional priorities and network activity.

• Access to future talent through meaningful connections with schools and colleges across the South Midlands.

• Tailored support from the Careers Hub team to develop an effective employer engagement and outreach strategy.

• Strategic insight and guidance informed by local education priorities, labour market intelligence (LMI) and youth voice data.

• Opportunities to align social value and CSR objectives with regional careers education priorities.

• Invitations to employer conferences, network meetings and local networking events to connect with other employers and education partners.

• Professional development opportunities including induction, training and CPD for employers, volunteers and apprentices involved in careers activities.

• Recognition and promotion of your contribution, including social media features, publicity opportunities and employer celebration events.

• An employer buddy network providing opportunities to share experiences, ideas and best practice with fellow members.

• Support to develop innovative projects and partnerships that create meaningful experiences for young people and deliver impact for employers.

• The Employer Network is fully funded and there is no cost to organisations or individuals who join.