Member Article

Young Chamber bridges gap between education and business

Wirral Chamber of Commerce has launched Young Chamber, a new initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education and business.

Research made by the British Chambers of Commerce highlighted a growing gap between education and work and that young people needed more support to make the transition from education to work.

Wirral Chamber of Commerce recognised this issue and through initiating Young Chamber it will support young people preparing for work who will have the opportunity of talking directly to potential employers to help make decisions about future careers.

It will provide an understanding of the skills employers are looking for, and offer unique insights into how businesses work, enabling valuable skills, knowledge and experience to complement academic qualifications.

Young Chamber will also work closely with schools, colleges and their staff to offer them business governance, proper careers advice with direct links to the business community, and an understanding of their employment needs. Already a number of businesses and schools have signed up to become member patrons of the Young Chamber initiative, including:

Business: McEwan Wallace, Capital Reinforcing, Park Group plc, Faiveley Transport, Progress to Excellence, AEV, Apollo Care, Kimpton Energy Solutions, Contact Group, NW Systems Group, Tranmere Rovers, Cammell Laird, Wirral Met College, Cabfind.com, Regal Wholesale, Typhoo, and The Contact Company.

Schools: Oldershaw Academy, Upton Hall School FCJ, Wirral Grammar Boys, St Anselm’s College, Egremont Primary School, South Wirral High School, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Birkenhead High School Academy, Bidston Avenue Primary School, Wirral Met Weatherhead High School and Birkenhead School.

Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, said, “In an increasingly competitive global marketplace it is vital to the growth of our economy that Wirral will be able to provide a workforce which will have the right business skills and develop those with aspirations for entrepreneurship.

She added, “Young Chamber will give us the perfect opportunity to work with both our schools and businesses to ensure that young people are fully prepared to move into the world of work or to start their own business.”

Kate Eugeni, Wirral Chamber’s Head of Training and Education, said, “We are perfectly placed to support our Wirral children develop the aspiration and skills needed to benefit our local economy in years to come. Being part of a national body such as the British Chambers of Commerce allows us not only to be the voice of Wirral business but listen to what the needs of the businesses are nationwide. We as a team want to design bespoke packages for the schools that will bridge the gaps between education and employment.”

Wirral Chamber of Commerce will be offering a comprehensive bespoke Young Chamber package for supporting schools, students and businesses. This will feature employability training, interview skills and the opportunity to practice these on leading Wirral businesses, CV skills, company tours and events, a Chamber business ambassador to offer contact to businesses, together with teacher and work placements.

Also announced on the launch night was design and games creator, Peter Lang of Giggle Software, who will be involved in the initiative as a Young Chamber Ambassador.

Pat Young, Headmistress, Upton Hall School FCJ, and School Member of Young Chamber, said, “Young Chamber is an exciting new initiative that we believe will offer our pupils great opportunities to develop skills that will complement their academic achievements. By engaging with successful local business people, our students will see what it takes to succeed and have the opportunity to analyse the skills and attitude’s which enable some people to excel in their particular field. This is the taste of the real world that young people enjoy and find motivational.”

Paula Basnett summarised what Young Chamber will achieve, she said, “It is vital for Wirral and our region that we start to introduce a succession of young talent who will develop the skills and business cultures which will lead them to become the next generation of business entrepreneurs. This is exactly what we are setting out to achieve through Young Chamber.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Maddrell .