Page 20 - Chester County Chamber - 2019 Guide and Business Directory

YOUTH LEADERSHIP
YCOHUESTHTELREACODEURNSTHYIPCHAMBER
Chester County Youth Get Ready to Enter the Business World
Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program is a model for the state
In 2002, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s Youth Leadership Program started small. The goal was to introduce local high school students to the business world,
but there were restrictions on who could apply and the number
of businesses involved was limited. Since then, the program has blossomed. More students and more businesses in a variety of fields have made the program a model in the state.
“I get calls and inquiries about the program from chambers all
over Pennsylvania,” said Marianne Martelli, Chamber vice president and director of the program since 2007. “Word has definitely gotten out.”
CCCBI is a non-profit organization that works with businesses in the county on job initiatives and retention. The Chamber Foundation, the charitable arm of CCCBI, administers the Youth Leadership Program (YLP).
When Martelli took over, she broadened the outreach, opening the program to all schools, public and private, in the county and to all interested students, although most participants are juniors and seniors. For the 2017-2018 academic years, 13 schools and 80 boys and girls are involved. Since inception, over 1,100 students have gone through the program.
“We help students realize their leadership potential. We introduce them to local legislators and businesspeople so they can build a network and realize the opportunities in the county,” said Martelli. “We are grooming our next generation of leaders.”
The Young Leadership Program meets monthly. Students visit local businesses and companies where they spend the day learning about a particular field. These range from social media to manufacturing, health care to technology, non-profits to a day with state legislators.
18 Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry