County Kildare Chamber has won the ‘Supporting Members’ award at the 2023 Chamber Awards.

The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by Zurich, identify the outstanding work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional and national business.

The award was recognised for the Chambers ‘Kildare Schools Roadshow’ campaign. The project originated from discussions at a Chamber Policy Advisory Council meeting, where members expressed interest in developing a trade expo for the next generation of students. The aim of the project is to visit one school in each Municipal District, accompanied by 4-5 member companies.

During these visits, the companies presented their businesses, shared industry insights, and highlighted potential career and educational opportunities. The students had the unique opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations with the companies, fostering connections and building a link between the students and local businesses in their community.

This initiative aimed to create a strong bond between students, businesses, and the community, while also addressing future skills gaps in the county. By providing students with first-hand exposure to local companies and showcasing the diverse career options available, the roadshow empowered students to envision a future filled with possibilities.

Sinéad Ronan, Public Affairs Manager at County Kildare Chamber said:

“We are delighted to win this award and it is fantastic recognition for the work put in by the team in the Chamber along with our businesses in Kildare who took part in the roadshow.

The work undertaken in this project encapsulates everything we do at the Chamber. Through this proactive and innovative approach, we as a Chamber wanted to demonstrate our commitment to investing in the potential of the youth and creating a vibrant community where education, business, and community engagement thrive harmoniously.

This award motivates us in the Chamber to do more in the area of sustainable development for the county and leading by example, demonstrating the value in collaboration between the educational and business sectors, fostering a thriving ecosystem that would contribute to the Kildare’s growth and success.”