A scheme that helps young Mansfield and Ashfield people get into the world of work has been officially launched.

Business leaders volunteer to help schools review their careers, employability and enterprise strategies.

The official launch of the Mansfield and Ashfield Enterprise Adviser Network was held at a breakfast event at Forever Green, Rainworth.

Richard Fuller, managing director of County Battery Services, Kirkby, and Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 board member, is the enterprise adviser matched to The Brunts Academy in Mansfield.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for business and education leaders to work together to improve the opportunity of young people to have more meaningful and purposeful employer intervention to inform their future career decisions,” he said.

The Evolve Trust — a multi-academy trust with academies in Mansfield and Mansfield Woodhouse — is leading the project on behalf of local enterprise partnership D2N2. Berni Dickinson, director of marketing and enterprise for the trust, is enterprise co-ordinator and will manage the Enterprise Adviser Network.

“I have been working with the 2020 business network to recruit a team of enterprise advisers who will work closely with headteachers to develop powerful, lasting connections between local businesses, schools and academies across Mansfield and Ashfield,” she said.

So far Martin Rigley, of Lindhurst Engineering; Shane Gunstone, of Asmech Systems Ltd; Paul Andrews, of Mansfield Manor Hotel; Richard Fuller; Jane Box, of Interactive People Development Ltd; John Mattison, of JB Consultancy; Stewart Rickersey, of the Mansfield and Ashfield NewsJournal; and Peter Roberts, of Collis Engineering Ltd, have been recruited as enterprise advisers.

The network is a joint initiative by The Careers and Enterprise Company and D2N2.