Young people across Northamptonshire are gaining new confidence, skills, and ambitions thanks to the inspiring work of Adriano “Ady” Cicceri, the Department for Work and Pensions’ new Schools Adviser for the county.
As part of the Jobcentre Plus Offer to Schools — a national programme designed to give students the best possible start in the world of work — Ady is on a mission to reduce the number of young people leaving education and becoming NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training). And it’s already making an impact.
Bringing Careers to Life in Classrooms Across the County
With 25 years’ experience in the DWP, Ady has dedicated his career to helping people find work. Now, he’s turned his focus to supporting Northamptonshire’s young people.
His role is wide-ranging and hands‑on:
- Delivering assemblies
- Running employability workshops
- Attending careers fairs
- Arranging work experience
- Promoting Civil Service careers
- Showcasing apprenticeships
- Supporting schools with their wider careers strategy
His message is simple yet powerful: A Job, a Better Job, a Career — the ABC of future success.
Currently working closely with Northampton School for Girls, Ady has already established a strong partnership.
Mr Glen Giles, Assistant Headteacher, said:
“We are very excited to be working with the DWP to enrich our students’ lives. By working with the DWP we have introduced our Year 7 and 8 students to the world of work and built a 10‑week Life Skills programme for our Year 10 students who face additional barriers. This is helping them build confidence and develop skills for their next steps after education.”
Ady recently delivered a whole‑year assembly to Years 7 and 8, sparking enthusiasm and curiosity among students exploring careers for the first time.
Driving Innovation at Corby Technical School
One of Ady’s biggest collaborations has been with Corby Technical School, where he has worked alongside local schools and the Brooke Weston Trust to tackle the challenge of recruiting Teaching Assistants.
Together, they have created a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) — giving adults the chance to train for TA roles through a Level 2 qualification, while helping schools access skilled, confident staff.
Ady was also impressed by the school’s innovative approach to employability, where key workplace skills are embedded into everyday lessons, behaviour routines and enrichment activities.
Anna Jenkins, Senior Vice Principal, praised the partnership:
“Ady has supported us by attending the school several times and working directly with our young people. I’m delighted that our best practice can help shape employability support across the wider area. Collaboration like this is vital.”
As part of National Careers Week, Ady delivered a specialist workshop to 30 Year 10 students on “Skills Employers Look For When Hiring Apprentices”, and his team ran two lunchtime drop‑ins for Year 11 students to promote a fantastic apprenticeship opportunity — supporting them with applications and arranging on‑site interviews.
Corby Technical School will also welcome the DWP team to its annual Careers Fair, which this year features 44 businesses engaging with students.
Supporting Local Recruitment for DWP Apprenticeships
Ady’s work extends beyond schools. Working with the DWP Corby Debt Centre, he helped identify and prepare students for two Social Mobility School Leaver Apprenticeships — roles specifically created to give young people of all backgrounds a strong start in the Civil Service.
Alison Keech and Jane Briggs, managers at DWP Corby Debt Centre, said:
“We collaborated closely with Careers Advisors in local schools and our Schools Adviser to identify promising students and support them through the application process. Our goal is to see two enthusiastic individuals secure these apprenticeship positions — and Ady’s support has been invaluable.”
A Growing Network of Opportunity for Young People
From assemblies and employability programmes to apprenticeships and school‑wide strategies, Ady’s work is quickly becoming a cornerstone of careers education across Northamptonshire.
Schools that work with him describe his sessions as motivating, practical, and transformative for students preparing for life beyond the classroom.
Want to Work With Ady?
If you are a Northamptonshire secondary school and would like support with:
- Careers education
- Assemblies
- Employability sessions
- Work experience
- Apprenticeship promotion
- Strategies to reduce NEET outcomes
You can contact Ady directly at:
adriano.cicceri@dwp.gov.uk
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