young chamber

bcc national conference 2008

Young Chamber students from London, Norfolk and Liverpool presented at the British Chambers of Commerce National Conference in Liverpool on Monday 28 April, alongside Mike Parker, Chief Executive of BNFL and Chairman of Liverpool Vision, in an event hosted by Young Chamber UK on the importance of employers engaging with young people whilst they are still in education.

Following the successful launch of Young Chamber to the business community at last year’s event, the students demonstrated how, in a short period of time, they have benefited from employer engagement in their area as a result of taking part in the Young Chamber concept.

YC students from Aylesham High School, Norwich – Alex Salzedo, Ed Lamb and Alex Buchan – presented on how, following an approach by Anglia Water Trust Fund, Connexions,Pfeg, and Norfolk CAB, they have approached the brief to review, disseminate and help redeveloped a young people’s financial website -‘doughuk’.

Commenting on the project, Gillian Hill, YC Project Manager for Norfolk Young Chamber said, “I think this is a great illustration of how the connexion between young people, business and the community is being forged and how Young Chamber members can have effect on what goes on around them and how they can help shape their future.”  

YC students from New Heys Community School in Liverpool – Laura Davies, Gemma Pearson, Mercedes Britton – working with Liverpool business, Kaplan Financial, presented on how they took part in an Accountancy Challenge, presenting their business plans and pitching for investment to sell cakes in their school over a fortnight – leading to an opportunity to qualify for a scholarship.

Jaine Davies, Business Development Officer, Kaplan said, “Unless Businesses recognise what these young people have to offer in terms of enthusiasm, their need and desire to be moulded and developed and, of course, the cost savings to the business, these kids will fall through the gaps and not fulfil their potential. Working with the Young Chamber is a fantastic way of attracting more young people to our profession and opening their eyes to the fantastic opportunities available to them”

YC students from Skinner’s Company’s School for Girls, London – Nicolette Miller, Carmen Stephens, Stephanie Badu and Rosalee Noel – presented on the importance of young people having a ‘voice’ on issues that affect them and their local community, as provided by Young Chamber.

Fiona Rezende, Project Manager, London Chamber of Commerce commented : “Students really enjoy the opportunity to meet with business people so they can develop skills and think more broadly about their

futures.   This event and other Young Chamber initiatives help to trigger a change in the way students and businesses interact.”

Young Chamber UK also supported a social enterprise company set up by YC students at Dover Grammar School for Boys – the Green Footprint Group – by using their 100% environmentally friendly reusable bags for delegates packs.     The bags have been produced by the Group as part of their bid to make Dover a plastic free eco town.

Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of Young Chamber UK commented : “Last year we secured funding from the DCSF to extend the pilot for Young Chamber to a further 51 schools across the UK.   Since then, the interest from schools and business has been such that we are helping to support the setting up of a further 50 Young Chambers, outside of this funded programme.      By utilising the Chamber of Commerce network to connect businesses with schools, Young Chamber is unique in the way it can deliver on ‘employer engagement’ with young people.  It is excellent to see the broad range of activities taking place across the UK by Young Chambers in such a short space of time.”

Mike Parker, Chief Executive, BNFL plc and Chairman of the newly formed Liverpool regeneration company commented : "I am delighted to be associated with this important initiative and wish the Young Chamber well in their endeavour to engage the business community with young people in education."

All the YC students enjoyed a very active day which included a photo opportunity with George Osborne MP, Shadow Chancellor – and a tour of the Beatles Museum.

James Dunn, YC student from Medina High School and YCUK Board member attended the event and commented, "The conference was yet another sensational experience that I have had during my involvement with Young Chamber. The students were fantastic and have really helped us to solidify the foundations of the Young Chamber in the business world, and the networking that I was able to do as a result of the work Young Chamber has provided me with, has put me in good stead for a future career. The contacts I have made are second to none, and my involvement as a National Board Member for Young Chamber will enable me to forward the prospects of my school and fellow students."

Young Chamber provides a consistent framework for schools to connect with local businesses, via the Chambers of Commerce membership and associated business networks, in order to provide young people aged 11 – 19 with a greater understanding of the workplace and employment opportunities.    Young Chamber engages local businesses directly in the development of the mind sets and attitudes of young people to meet the needs of business.  It also provides a management structure for the enterprise agenda in schools, and allows the ‘voice’ of young people to be heard on issues affecting the economic environment in which they live.