Young Chamber is a nationwide program that connects schools and businesses through local Chambers of Commerce. It gives students opportunities to engage with businesses from a variety of sectors to understand the real world of business. The main challenge is bridging the cultural differences between academia and business. Young Chamber helps address this by facilitating effective communication between students and business professionals.

1. By Nicky Hirst Young Chamber Coordinator Young Chamber and Business

2. 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.

3. It 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

4. 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

5. LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Young Chamber in Hampshire

6. Young 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

7. Year 11 interviewed by Business Leaders

8. Other examples of Young Chamber include: Battle of the Bands Multi-cultural fair Chocolate Box Challenge

9. Tour of HSBC Bank Tour of Play Radio Tour of WestQuay with mystery shopping challenge Visit to Taylor Made Computer Solutions to see Cisco Technology Fact Finding Trip with Red Funnel Tours to Different Premises

10. Ask an Expert Hospitality Legal Session Help with Phone Brain

11. It is not just Regents Park Community College we have worked with At Crestwood College we have been looking at the students having and operating their own radio station.

12. We started by looking at how 3 charities market themselves Jubilee Sailing Trust The Rose Road Association Honeypot

13. Then we held master classes to look at marketing methods

16. We then went on to look at ways the students could market their school The students finished 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.

17. What 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

18. Involvement means that… Real examples show what can be achieved Business 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

19. Young Chamber gives young people: Skills, including soft skills Real experience Responsibility Encourages enthusiasm Gives confidence It makes a real difference

21. In conclusion Young Chamber is more than just ticking Corporate Responsibility boxes for businesses although it does enhance reputations for those business that are involved with it. It is helping to shape and develop the future workforce It helps young people understand the realities of their career choices It gives businesses the chance to revisit their basic ideas and provide professional career development for their personnel

22. Young Chamber will help students stand out from the crowd with the help of business You make the difference