Co.next was launched in early 2022 to empower, engage and encourage young professionals across Norfolk.
A gap in the market was brought to our attention by those 35 and under – the need to bridge the gap between leaving education and gaining knowledge, experience, and confidence to climb the career ladder.
Some young professionals may find that the working world is a different place to when they left education, or they have had a change of career, and are struggling to gain the right soft skills to settle effectively into a team; they need to understand how to network with their peers; or what steps they need to take to further their professional development; or what their ultimate direction might be. These challenges were further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Co.next is a service curated by the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce designed to support working young professionals 35 and under in Norfolk. Co.next will offer engaging knowledge and networking programs supported and developed by a board of like-minded individuals, who want to empower budding professionals.
The Board is made up of experienced business professionals. They are ably supported by an Advisory Board of those young professionals who are the heart of this programme, which Kelly is delighted to be a part of! They have their feet on the ground, sharing their ideas and raising awareness of what support and guidance they actually need.
We, at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, are here to provide training, networking, mentoring, and more to help empower, engage and encourage young professionals to grow and develop their careers.
We are dedicated to fulfilling our compelling mission: ‘To connect, support, and give voice to every business in Norfolk.’
We have big ambitions to drive positive change into how Norfolk’s brilliant pool of young professionals network, share best practices, and shape the region’s business landscape.
