At Enterprise’s Female Focus Group, we aim to create and foster a supportive network of females. Our objective is to promote professional and personal development not only for Enterprise women, but for all our colleagues. We do this by facilitating communication, networking and career development through various business activities such as events. We also work very closely with partner universities to increase the number of applications we receive from women.
I tasked women from our focus group to run a Leadership day for female students from four northwest-based universities: Manchester Metropolitan, Liverpool John Moore, Edge Hill, and Salford. The key objectives for the event were to help develop key employability skills amongst students as well as empower our colleagues to lead an event.
The day included our very own Ashley Hever as guest speaker. He gave a great account on leadership and personal brand. This was followed by two successful Branch Managers, Clare Graham and Jack Spiers, who gave their personal stories and career overview focusing on skills needed to achieve a leadership role. Finally the students had an opportunity to take part in a series of fun activities focusing on Leadership, Teamwork and Communication.
Networking was a big part of the afternoon for students, our Female Focus Group and our guests from the universities: Terry Dray (Careers Director LJMU) Jacqui Howe (Head of Careers Edge Hill), Debby Murray (Careers Advisor at Edge Hill), Kirsten Burke (Placements Advisor MMU) and two of our Campus Brand Managers, Rob Burke and Emma Burrows. It was a perfect opportunity to increase our profile and brand, and career opportunities with us.
Our General Manager Gary Palmer is always supportive of the events the Female Focus Group conducts and just like previous events he too attended the day. Students were inspired and welcomed Gary’s input throughout. Many students took the opportunity to ask him questions and advice in order to develop their personal skills.