The Young Chamber to date
2001
The start of an idea
2003
Set up first Young Chamber pilot at Ryde High School, Isle of Wight
2005
Extend pilots across UK - Rotherham, Milton Keynes, Surrey, etc
2007
secured funding from DCSF to extend pilot to further 51 YCs across the UK
Sept 07
YCUK and students launch YC to business community at BCC National
Conference, London.
YCUK and students attended reception at No. 11 Downing Street hosted by Ed
Balls MP & John Healey MP
July 2007
KS invited to present on YC to over 100 countries attending the
International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) 5th World Chambers Congress in
Istanbul
September 2007
Young Chamber Councils being formed across UK
November 2007
Over 40 YCs took part in enterprising activity during Enterprise Week
December 2007
Exhibited at NEBPN National Conference (December)
Appointed 2 young people to the Board : Jamie Dunn (IW YC) and Jellyellie
teen entrepreneur
2008
Exhibited at Young Voice 08, the UK's social enterprise conference
April 2008
Invited to host lunchtime fringe event at BCC National Conference, Liverpool
on importance of employers engaging with young people (April)
young chamber
about us
Young Chamber started off as idea to try and provide young people with a direct line to businesses and employers in their area. Schools have not always found it an easy task to make links with their commercial neighbours. Businesses have not always taken the step of finding out what potential there might be in the up and coming workforce on their doorstep.
The heart of the idea is to utilise the already powerful Chamber of Commerce networks across the country and bring these within the contact of schools. This simple idea provides schools with a single point of contact for business related issues and access to the local network of employers in their area.
The Chamber of Commerce is a world recognised brand and already has powerful communication channels in place allowing them to spread the word to their members.
Young Chamber is based on a number of basic principles:
mindset: get rid of stereotypes, preconceptions and generalisations.
practical: remove barriers and create good communication.
strength: build on what works and keep student and business contact simple.
ideas: develop by feeding in new ideas from experience across the country.
find out more about how young chamber works for business
find out more about how young chamber works for schools
find out more about how young chamber works for students