President's Column: Opening doors for the next generation

I remember it well, writes Phil Arkinstall.

When I think back to my first real foray into the world of media production, I see a natural link to my overriding theme as president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber - providing opportunities to the next generation.

From a young age, I developed a fascination with big budget video, having been hooked in by blockbuster films like Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump and Star Wars.

Admittedly, my first foray into a production studio came a little closer to home than the glitz of Hollywood - yet it firmly opened my eyes to the career path I wanted to pursue.

I was a Year 10 student at Bishop Vesey 's Grammar School when the opportunity arose to spend a week at Central Television (ITV Central, as we now know it), thanks to one of my classmates whose father worked at the TV network 's Birmingham studios.

There was a real buzz around the place. I spent a day in the transmission studio, went out on location with the news team and met some of the channel 's leading lights such as the legendary sports broadcaster Gary Newbon.

It didn 't feel like a typical work placement (incidentally, I also spent a week at Midland Bank as the tea boy which, it 's fair to say, wasn 't for me!).

Central provided an enriching experience, allowed me to make human connections and offered me real-world exposure to a professional work environment.

The smallest connection led to such a pivotal opportunity for me. That 's exactly what we 're trying to achieve through the newly-launched Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Scheme.

It 's about meaningful connections, touchpoints and exposure.

Since becoming president just over two years ago, I 've been passionate about leaving a legacy that will help future generations.

The success of my own business, Ark Media, has in many respects been built on the input, hard work and skill of young people who are learning their trade - and I 've spoken to other business owners who would say the same about their own achievements.

That 's why the Chamber has created a scheme to promote better links between business and education - one which, crucially, strips out any complexity.

There are plenty of well-documented challenges facing business owners at the moment, which makes committing time and resource into initiatives such as work placements, mentoring and academic talks all the more difficult.

So, we were determined to ensure this scheme provides simplicity - allowing businesses to let us know, via a straightforward questionnaire, what they are able to contribute by way of time, resource and expertise.

We 'll then disseminate this information to local schools and colleges and, in turn, hopefully facilitate meaningful connections and dialogue between business and young people.

The early signs are encouraging, with around a fifth of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber 's membership responding to the questionnaire within a week of launch.

It goes to show companies in the Royal Town see the value in young people, who are, ultimately, the future of our workforce.

It 's also rewarding as a business owner to be able to provide opportunities.

At Ark Media, we 've taken on eight apprentices over the past four years. Some of them have moved on to pastures new but their contributions to the firm more than repaid the time and investment we put into their development.

So, I would encourage any of our members who are yet to engage with the scheme to consider doing so.

Phil Arkinstall is president of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Ark Media

This column first appeared in the March 2023 edition of Chamberlink magazine