PARTNERS CHASE CHAMBER PATRON
CONTACT: Chris Plant T: 0845 0710 191
Businesses build links with schools C
hase Chamber has staged its third Schools Forum at South Staffordshire College in a bid to build better links
between schools and local businesses. The event saw more than 20 schools and a
similar number of business representatives get together with the aim of creating stronger links between education and enterprise, for the benefit of young people in the Chase area. The session was chaired by Tracey Cross from
Careers Guidance Solihull, who said: “It was great to see so many people wanting to link schools and employers to benefit the local young people and to help make the transition from education into employment as smooth as possible for them. “The meeting was lively and everyone was
keen to have their say and as a result we generated a lot of great ideas on how to move the project forward.” Among those attending was Paul Wilde, group
finance director at ATP Industries Group, who said: “Since our launch of the Southern Staffordshire Schools Forum in September 2014 we have seen encouraging signs that schools are willing to open their doors to local businesses.
Cllr Freeman (left) and Cllr Stretton
Engaging: Chris Plant
‘Skills are the number one priority for most businesses within the Chase area’
“This gives both schools and future employers
the chance to help students arrive at the workplace prepared for what lies ahead. The third forum event on 30 April had a good cross-section of schools, businesses and local authority in attendance, that led us to believe that the aim of Chase Chamber in launching this initiative is well on its way to achieving our goal of improving the employability of our local school leavers.” Chase Chamber director Chris Plant said:
“Skills are the number one priority for most businesses within the Chase area. It is important that more businesses increase their interaction with schools, their young people and staff in a way that benefits all parties in the future employability after full-time education. “Locally, we would like to engage with schools
to identify their employer engagement needs and source relevant businesses. There are various ways for businesses to engage with schools such as mock interviews, career talks, setting real life challenges or inputting into a specific subject area. It is one thing for young people to learn about the world of work from a book but it is something else to learn directly from their local business community.”
Women lead council in Cannock Chase
For the first time in its history, Cannock Chase Council has two women councillors in its top posts at the same time. Maureen Freeman was named as chairman of the council and Zaphne
Stretton as vice chairman for 2015/16. The former has taken over from outgoing chairman Councillor Alan
Pearson. Part of the chairman’s role over their term of office is to raise money for
their chosen charities. Cllr Freeman has chosen two: Teenage Cancer Care Trust and 5th Cannock St Luke’s Brownies. Cllr Freeman said “It is a privilege to be representing the council as
chairman this year and a wonderful accolade for Zaphne and myself to be the first two women in post at the same time in the council’s history. “I am looking forward to my year in office and hoping to raise as much money for my chosen charities during this time.”
JULY/AUGUST 2015 CHAMBERLINK 29
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