Young Chamber – developing minds for developing business
Young Chamber’s core focus is to help young people develop their own potential by understanding how business and commerce works.
It is an organic framework, not a rigid system.
It is non-prescriptive because each school has its own student body, the Young Chamber Council, and this decides what type of business engagement is desired.
Access to businesses is provided by the local Chamber of Commerce whose membership represents the immediate business community.
The lines of communication are short and simple and therefore the likelihood of a successful and relevant relationship is significantly enhanced.
The Young Chamber idea was born in 2001. Within two years pilot schemes were being run on the Isle of Wight and these were extended to Rotherham, Milton Keynes and Surrey by the end of 2005.
In 2007 DCSF funding was secured and 51 Young Chambers were established across England. A programme of national roll-out continued and by 2008, 145 Young Chambers were underway.
Young Chamber also became a founding partner of the IEBE (formerly the NEPBN).
By 2009, 260 Young Chambers had signed up. This number is expected to grow to over 400 during 2010 with an industrial scale roll out anticipated of up to 2000+ by the end of 2015.
Young Chamber is owned and developed by YCUK Limited.
YCUK is a social enterprise, not for profit company, limited by guarantee which works with and through the Chamber of Commerce network to continually develop and improve Young Chamber.
YCUK’s operating philosophy is focused upon achieving successful outcomes for all students of all academic abilities. It aims to facilitate direct and high quality contacts between students and the business community with a light touch approach.