Connect Collaborate Grow Equipping Young People for the World of Work Yolanda Rugg CEO Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Connect Collaborate Grow About the Chamber Accredited by the British Chamber of Commerce Over 2000 members in our Chamber network Education Business Links Team – Delivering county-wide work experience International Trade, Events, Membership team Office locations in Hatfield, Dacorum and Broxbourne

Connect Collaborate Grow Herts Chamber Forums Construction and Property Tourism and Leisure Creative Industries Engineering /Manufacturing HR forum Exporters Environmental

Connect Collaborate Grow Herts Limited Top 200 – sector breakdown Grant Thornton Nov 2013 Report

Connect Collaborate Grow What do businesses need? Herts knowledge based sectors from electronics, science, engineering -too few graduates in physics and engineering to fill current jobs and meet future skills gap needs Renewed emphasis on vocational education Re-focus on STEM subjects

Connect Collaborate Grow Astrium response Signed up to 5% club – 5% of workforce to be apprentice, graduates and interns within next 5 years Created STEM ambassadors to engage with schools, colleges and universities Developing bespoke work experience model – offering one day each week for a term – offering a broader experience of different activities

Connect Collaborate Grow MBDA response Their challenge – a third of workforce will retire in next ten years, 20 years + developed World Class Centre of Excellence Over 50 apprentices in annual intake Year 2 apprentices recruit at careers fairs Running level 4 higher apprenticeships Sponsor annual robotics competition

Connect Collaborate Grow Imagination Technology No 3 in world for IP semi conductors and digital processors Queens Award for Enterprise winner 100 graduates a year now Launched inter-schools App competition 2012 with HCC – Minimal response from schools – The few schools who entered produced very impressive proposals

Connect Collaborate Grow Soft skills are Important! How a student presents themselves to a potential employer is so important Enthusiasm and willingness to learn Confidence in their achievements and abilities Timekeeping not clock watching! Positive style in written and verbal communications It’s ok to ask questions? Language skills and knowledge of cultures and etiquette - globalisation

Connect Collaborate Grow Employer Feedback Young people undersell themselves at interview CV’s do not highlight the capabilities of young people, and often lack thought and creativity Some young people are unaware of what local organisations do and what resources they need Young people lack work-ready skills Lack of response to unskilled jobs from local pool

Connect Collaborate Grow Herts 1125 Young Peoples’ Manifesto The top 3 issues young people voted for… Priority 1 – Increase opportunities for apprenticeships in Herts Priority 2 – A legacy for the Olympics and Paralympics for young people in Hertfordshire Priority 3 – Work for discounted leisure, sporting and cultural activities for young people

Connect Collaborate Grow Why Students Need To Engage In Work Related Activity A good work experience can inspire a student to raise their level of academic achievement Better preparation and understanding of the workplace can reduce the number of students who become NEETS. ‘Real’ experiences to enhance future CVs Provides an understanding of the working environment and the qualifications, skills and qualities sought by employers.

Connect Collaborate Grow Opportunities to Engage with Employers Work experience including ‘bespoke’ placements linked to sector or qualification such as BTEC CV of Interview workshops Business speakers or mentors Employer visits or site visits Work related projects Enterprise Activities – Industry led or Young Enterprise /Young Chamber

Connect Collaborate Grow What If? All Pupils 8-13years had a Personal Career online plan Local student network shared ideas and job research Parents supported realistic ambition Schools could deliver review in confidence between student and IAG Links to curriculum offering independent learning Collaboration between IAG’s for local area impact

Connect Collaborate Grow Young Chamber -How it works Young Chamber Council (YCC) is elected Students assigned different roles as council members The council is responsible for planning events each term Supported by a Business Coordinator Co-ordinator matches up with the relevant business for chosen events YCC meet fortnightly with Co-ordinator to plan and organise events or activities

Connect Collaborate Grow Young Chamber Outcomes 250 Young Chamber Councils across the UK 15,000 students involved in organising enterprise events 250,000 students across year groups involved in enterprise events 7,000 businesses involved in enterprise activity (average 3x per event)

Connect Collaborate Grow Young Chamber UK Matrix 5

Connect Collaborate Grow Young Chamber Top Jobs in Area Student network

Connect Collaborate Grow For further information about the work of the Herts. Chamber please contact