Linking Business and Education

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) is committed to unlocking opportunity across the North East workforce, with a focus on supporting young people and those affected by poverty into meaningful work experience.

Too many individuals face barriers to meaningful work experience, often compounded by socioeconomic disadvantage, limiting potential, reinforcing inequality, and constraining regional economic growth. Creating equitable pathways into work requires employers, educators, and civic leaders to come together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and take practical action.

This event brings together businesses, education providers, emerging talent, and civic leaders to explore how collaboration can close the work experience gap, address barriers linked to poverty, create fairer access to opportunities, and strengthen the North East workforce.

• Hear from employers and education providers about how they have built effective, long-term partnerships.
• Hear from panels featuring diverse voices, including young people, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic barriers, and the value of work experience.
• Be inspired by a powerful keynote that will act as a call to action for all attendees.
• Join solution-focused conversations on how business and education can work together to unlock opportunity and tackle inequality across the region.

• Employers (from SMEs to large corporates) looking to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Policymakers and civic leaders
• Community partners and organisations focused on equity, opportunity, and poverty reduction

Our events are open to Chamber members only. If you’re not a member and would like to attend, or discuss the benefits of membership, please email: eW91ciB8IG5lZWNoYW1iZXIgISBjbyAhIHVr.

Dress Code: We don't stipulate a dress code at our events, but we’d recommend you dress like you’re going to meet new clients. The most important this is that you're comfortable.

Behaviour & Conduct: Our events create an inclusive space for individuals and organisations to meet where we expect all our attendees to behave with courtesy and respect, to both each other and Chamber colleagues.