The Young Chamber programme has been developed by the British Chambers of Commerce network, to enable students in school across the UK to understand the skills needed to be enterprising and ultimately be better prepared for the world of work.

Young Chamber provides a structured framework involving student’s schools and the business community. This enables a real enterprise culture to be developed within the school, led and supported by the students themselves through a Young Chamber Council.

• Awareness and engagement with businesses.
  
• Enterprise education.
  
• Opportunities to be involved in decision making forums.
  
• Engagement in community projects and local issues.
  
• Advice from mentors on curriculum related topics.
  
• Networking strategies.
  
• Information on career choice / prospective employer engagement.

The Young Chamber Council works hand in hand with the Young Chamber Co-ordinator based at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, to deliver closer involvement with the local business community and provide enterprise activities that will enhance student’s credentials once they join the world of work.

• Instant access to the local business community.
• Opportunities to engage with employers.
• Meeting statutory work related topics.
• Enterprise education.
• Raising standards of attainment.
• Networking with cross county and countywide school councils.
• Sharing best practice.

Which students are suitable? Membership is open to all year groups and from this a membership Young Chamber Council is elected. The council members will take on a variety of council roles i.e. finance, marketing, communications and administration. The council meet every two weeks with the Young Chamber Co-ordinator.

Where does the programme take place? The main body of the programme takes place in school.

Can Young Chamber be adapted to meet my schools needs? Yes, we are happy to discuss any
requirements that you may have.

Does the school need to provide staff? Yes a School Chamber Co-ordinator needs to oversee all Young Chamber activity. It provides a real and powerful line of communication between young people at school and the local business community. Businesses can be involved in a variety of ways i.e. mentoring, careers advice, work placements, workshops, networking events and guided tours of real businesses.

Young Chamber is unique in that it provides a real and powerful line of communication between young
people at school and the local business community. Businesses can be involved in a variety of ways
i.e. mentoring, careers advice, work placements, workshops, networking events and involvement in
real businesses.

If you are interested in the Young Chamber programme and would like our Young Chamber Co-ordinator to visit your school and discuss the programme and answer any questions you may have.
                                         
Please contact:

Gillian Hill - Young Chamber Co-ordinator
01603 625977
Email: Gillian.hill@norfolkchamber.co.uk