Pioneering Sheffield 'employer academy' set to be rolled out nationwide
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Business and Enterprise Academy at The Sheffield College is now in its second year and has more than 1,600 student members and growing.
It gives them all the chance to be mentored by employers to inspire them to go further in their careers.
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Hide AdNow the government has published a white paper recommending chambers link up with further education colleges in a similar arrangement nationwide.
The Sheffield academy is based at City Campus, Granville Road.
Steve Manley, past president of Sheffield Chamber, was instrumental in setting it up.
He said: “I truly believe that as a Chamber, we should be very proud. We are the only UK Chamber that does anything like this and more importantly, we are affecting lives and bringing positivity to hundreds of young people.
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Hide Ad“I am really pleased to see in the government’s latest white paper, that recommendations have been made to link British Chambers of Commerce and FE colleges to create business centres.”
At the academy, employers provide industry placements and visits as well as work experience and curriculum projects. They also help students with CV writing and interview sessions. Specialist speakers also visit the college to provide an insight into a particular industry or role.
Earlier this month, education secretary Gavin Williamson launched the Skills for Jobs white paper outlining how chambers will work with colleges to develop tailored skills plans, supported by a £65m strategic development fund to establish College Business Centres.