By Nicky HirstBy Nicky HirstYoung Chamber CoordinatorYoung Chamber Coordinator

YoungYoung ChamberChamberand Businessand Business

What is Young Chamber?What is Young Chamber? It is a nationwide concept funded in the

pilot stage by DCSF

It connects schools and businesses through the Chamber of Commerce network

It works with businesses of all sizes from sole traders to multi-national companies across all sectors. It has access to a variety of experiences for students through these different perspectives.

It is UniqueIt is Unique

It gives young people a “voice” to engage with business so they can understand the real world of business

It compliments other programmes such as those run by Solent EBP and the Young Enterprise Board

The Challenge for Young Chamber?The Challenge for Young Chamber?

The main challenge is NOT as some would think - getting business involved

The main challenge IS the clash of cultures between the academic and the business worlds

Young Chamber is the conduit that enables the two cultures to communicate effectively

LET’S LET’S TAKE A TAKE A CLOSER CLOSER

LOOKLOOK

Young Chamber in HampshireYoung Chamber in Hampshire

Young Chamber in HampshireYoung Chamber in Hampshire

Young Chamber in Hampshire started in 2007/08 with Regents Park Community College

In the first academic year we took in over 50 different businesses and organisations to deliver the pilot programme

On one day this academic year we took in 25 different business people to the school

Year 11 interviewed Year 11 interviewed by Business Leadersby Business Leaders

Other examples of Young Other examples of Young Chamber include:Chamber include:

Battle of the BandsBattle of the BandsMulti-cultural fairMulti-cultural fair

Chocolate Box Chocolate Box ChallengeChallenge

Tour of HSBC BankTour of HSBC Bank

Tour of Play RadioTour of Play Radio

Tour of WestQuay with mystery shopping Tour of WestQuay with mystery shopping challengechallenge

Visit to Taylor Made Computer Solutions Visit to Taylor Made Computer Solutions to see Cisco Technologyto see Cisco Technology

Fact Finding Trip with Red FunnelFact Finding Trip with Red Funnel

Tours to Different PremisesTours to Different Premises

Ask an ExpertAsk an Expert

HospitalityHospitality

Legal SessionLegal Session

Help with Help with Phone BrainPhone Brain

It is not just Regents Park Community It is not just Regents Park Community College we have worked withCollege we have worked with

At Crestwood College we have been looking at the students having and operating their own radio station.

We started by looking at how 3 We started by looking at how 3 charities market themselvescharities market themselves

Jubilee Sailing TrustJubilee Sailing Trust

The Rose RoadThe Rose Road AssociationAssociation

HoneypotHoneypot

Then we held master classes to look Then we held master classes to look at marketing methodsat marketing methods

We then went on to look at ways the We then went on to look at ways the students could market their schoolstudents could market their school

The students f inished with presentations to the whole school and looking at how they could market their school to sponsors and the community for when the radio was running.

What Business Involvement MeansWhat Business Involvement Means

It gives young people the opportunities to see what is available in their own communities in a way they can relate to

It helps them develop real skills that they need in the workplace

It gives relevant, engaging and locally based enterprise education

One short visit can make all the difference to a student’s outlook

They may surprise you with their ideas which may prove useful to your business

Involvement means that…Involvement means that…Real examples show what can be

achievedBusiness is recognising that Young

people are our future and worth investing in

Business is meeting its responsibilities whilst being interested in working locally with the region’s young people

Business people come away knowing they have made a difference

Students come away with a positive experience of being involved with business people and are inspired

Young Chamber gives young Young Chamber gives young people:people:

Skills, including soft skillsReal experienceResponsibilityEncourages enthusiasm Gives confidenceIt makes a real difference

In conclusionIn conclusionYoung Chamber is more than just ticking Corporate Young Chamber is more than just ticking Corporate Responsibility boxes for businesses although it does Responsibility boxes for businesses although it does enhance reputations for those business that are enhance reputations for those business that are involved with it.involved with it.

It is helping to shape and develop the future It is helping to shape and develop the future workforceworkforce

It helps young people understand the realities of It helps young people understand the realities of their career choicestheir career choices

It gives businesses the chance to revisit their It gives businesses the chance to revisit their basic ideas and provide professional career basic ideas and provide professional career development for their personneldevelopment for their personnel

Young Chamber will help students Young Chamber will help students stand out from the crowd with the stand out from the crowd with the

help of businesshelp of business

You make the differenceYou make the difference