Three Bradford schools are at the forefront of getting youngsters interested in business through hands-on experience.

The Young Chamber project is part of a national scheme to give 11 to 18 year-olds a taste of the skills required by employers and a sniff of entrepreneurial activities.

Students are expected to run projects themselves to show they have what it takes to eventually pursue a business career or hold down responsible jobs.

In the Bradford area, however, business is actively supporting the scheme with the appointment of a full-time co-ordinator based at the Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle Pyman provides a bridge between participating schools and the business community, and is looking to expand the Young Chamber project locally.

She said: “Young Chamber’s core focus is to help young people develop their own potential by understanding how business and commerce works. It’s very much down to them to make it work and they have to take responsibility for devising, planning and delivering activities.”

The three Bradford schools currently involved are Grange Technology College, Carlton Bolling College and Tong High School. Each one has a Young Chamber council modelled on the real thing and runs its own range of activities.

They also work together, for instance on the recent formal launch event at the Midland Hotel attended by around 200 people, including 50 leading chamber of commerce and other business figures.

Those who attended were duly impressed by the end result which had involved the students negotiating with the venue and arranging all aspects of the launch, with some guidance from events expert Ben Pugh, co-ordinator of the Bradford Mela.

Michelle Pyman said: “The event went extremely well and those who were there were impressed. There was some problem with the sound system which caused the students some concern, but they dealt with it in a professional manner which is what they would be expected to do in a professional capacity.”

Sandy Needham, chief executive of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said the launch was impressive and enjoyable.

She said: “Three students gave presentations on enterprise projects their schools had organised with support from business people, but the direction and decision-making came from the students alone.

“The launch was the result of students putting their marketing, financial, and project-management skills to good use, showing their teachers, business mentors and the wider community just what they are capable of.

“They demonstrated the skills that companies call for, such as a positive attitude, good communication and the ability to work as part of a team. Young Chamber is part of our Be Involved activity, which enables businesses to work with the wider community.”

Yorkshire Building Society is a supporter and next week will host a visit by Grange students.

YBS learning development co-ordinator Tory Thornton said: “They will see all aspects of the society’s operations as an introduction to the business. From there, we will devise a pilot programme of activities which will be driven by the Young Chamber students and ready to roll out in the autumn.”