Over the Autumn we have been delighted to share with our members, several case studies of local businesses, including the UK Hydrographic Office and Taunton Chamber members Milsted Langdon and Crescent Funeral Services, who are working with young people to offer practical advice, support and experience of the workplace. It was great therefore, to conclude our 2019 Taunton Chamber events schedule with a Business & Education Networking Breakfast, kindly hosted by members The Great Western Hotel. It was good to see a good mix of member businesses in attendance, as well as key personnel from our member organisations Bridgwater & Taunton College and Huish College.
After breakfast rolls and refreshments, our first speaker was Martin Hodgson, CEO of YMCA Dulverton Group who own and operate the Great Western Hotel. In an incredibly inspirational talk, Martin spoke about the YMCA’s work with local young people, offering advice and practical housing and employment support, and how their investment in commercial projects such as The Great Western Hotel and The Beach Hotel Minehead, have not only secured the heritage of the buildings, but are being operated to maximise employment and training opportunities for local young people on site.
We were also delighted to welcome Andrew Hanson from the Somerset Education Business Partnership to the event. Andrew is passionate about fostering meaningful links between Somerset businesses and Education Establishments, and he gave attendees a real insight into the wide variety of opportunities for local businesses of all sizes to undertake work with our local schools and colleges – many of which require only a small number of hours but which deliver a huge impact.
Taunton Chamber of Commerce Membership and Events Manager Bethan Turner is looking forward to working with Andrew in the New Year to offer local students the experience of organising and facilitating some of our business events – look out for more details soon!
For members keen to find out how their own business can help to inspire the workforce of the future, Andrew Hanson can be contacted as follows:
[email protected]
01823 785440
https://www.somerset-ebp.co.uk/
To follow the work of YMCA Dulverton, please visit:
https://www.ymca-dg.org/