As national research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) shows a growing gap between education and employment, the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce has launched ‘Young Chamber’.
A programme specifically for schools and colleges, it builds upon the Chamber’s belief that young people require contact with the business community to gain the skills, knowledge and experience to complement their academic qualifications.
Consequently, we’re calling on Lancashire businesses to get involved and support the next generation of employees by sponsoring a local school of their choice.
What will we do for the school?
- By sponsoring a school, the Chamber will provide 12 months of business-related information and advice on your behalf in the form of enterprise projects– industry specialists giving pupils an insight into the world of work.
- Allow young people to explore a diverse range of sectors from manufacturing to business services; this will help them develop the employability and skills which employers value.
- The school will receive industry days delivered by Chamber staff and employers, helping to put work into a real life context. Mock interviews and Curriculum Vitae sessions will also be delivered in school by Chamber staff.
- We will support the school in finding school ‘business’ governors and with careers events. We will also work with the school to run enterprise projects in collaboration with local companies and hopefully encourage our next generation of Lancashire-based entrepreneurs.
- There will also be an opportunity for the school to develop their senior leadership team and teaching staff by offering staff the opportunity to experience work within their chosen local organisations.
- Enable teachers to access local business intelligence and local labour market analysis, allowing them to deliver a better-informed teaching experience.
What will we do for your business?
- Young Chamber sponsorship will help put your business at the heart of your local education community, building your firm’s brand and reputation with parents, the local community and other businesses.
- We will promote your company and its services to the business community via two press releases (content of your choice) per annum which will be included in our newsletter and website.
- You can also take advantage of two e-shots per annum which go to more than 7,800 unique business email addresses across North and Western Lancashire.
- Attend Chamber of Commerce networking events to promote your business and develop business relationships.
- Use of the Chamber logo for publication on your website, emails, letterheads etc as well as access to all other member services and discounts.
- The school headteacher will be invited to the BCC Education Summit.
- The Chamber will also publish a story about the business’ support of their chosen school.
If you are interested in finding out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring your local school, then contact Hayley Topselvi, the Young Chamber co-ordinator, on 01772 653000 or 01253 347063.
