Big turn-out at school for the Young Chamber breakfast

Nearly three dozen local businesses seized the opportunity to meet the sixth form pupils, teachers and governors of Copleston High School to both explain local career opportunities and to offer mentoring support to help bridge the worlds of education and work.

Organised with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Young Chamber initiative, this was the latest in a series of innovative events held at the school which are aimed at building relationships between the town’s employers and pupils.

Gary Shoesmith from Willis Towers Watson, one of the businesses present, spoke about the company’s school leavers’ programme and its commitment to finding talent and supporting local schools.

To prove his point, he was accompanied by ex-Copleston student Ed Griffiths, who is currently part of the company’s programme speaking about the importance of business providing proper opportunities for young people.

Shaun Common, head teacher said: “this school, through our relationship with Young Chamber, is more open to working with businesses than ever before. This event was particularly inspiring as it showed that these companies ‘get it’; they recognise that mentoring young people is key to helping young people succeed in life.”

Ashleigh Seymour-Rutherford, who runs the Young Chamber scheme in Suffolk, explained that: “networking events such as today’s are great ways to get businesses and pupils together to allow the former to both explain what their company does and to talent spot and for the latter to prepare themselves better once they leave school or college to make informed career decisions.”

For more information about Young Chamber, please contact: ashleigh@suffolkchamber.co.uk