MORE than 6,000 young people each year are gaining vital work experience as a result of the efforts of Bolton and Bury Chamber.

The Chamber recently hosted an education conference about its work experience programme and how it has successfully forged vital links between education and businesses.

Together with joint organisers, the Centre for Education and Industry, the Chamber's Education Business Partnership welcomed 200 national delegates to Bolton's Reebok Stadium to debate best practice in preparing young people for work.

It was revealed that the Chamber has been helping partner more than 6,000 young people each year for a fortnight's work experience with local firms. This highly impressive record, along with its pioneering work in promoting key skills, has won the Chamber national acclaim.

Last year, the Chamber piloted a key skills portfolio scheme for young people which ensures that they develop and record essential skills such as numeracy, literacy and communication during their working fortnight. The scheme has proved so successful with employers that it will now be introduced for all future work experience placements in Bury and Bolton.

And the Chamber's Education Business Partnership is one of only a few nationally to have gained accreditation for the quality of its services.

During the conference, members of the team received congratulations for their good work when they were officially presented with the National Standard for Work Experience Organisers.

Commenting on the conference, the Chamber's work experience manager Linda Tonge said: "It was a great honour to co-host such a prestigious event and to debate the issues and ideas that will help us take work experience further in the future."

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