Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) is North-east Scotland's leading private sector, member-focused organisation. The Chamber represents around 1,250 businesses with 90,000 employees, predominantly in the private sector, ranging in size from sole traders to multi-national corporations. The Chamber works at local, national and international levels to provide a comprehensive portfolio of business services, support and advocacy.

Business Mentoring Scotland

Whether you are a relatively new organisation, or have ambitious plans to grow or commercialise your organisation, working with a mentor can help re-invigorate your organisation's plans, giving you immediate access to impartial advice, relevant experience, and a great network of contacts, all independent of any management board, committee or trust.

This funded programme is for leaders of organisations in all sectors, including the third sector. Business mentors understand how difficult it can be to run a business, and how lonely you can sometimes feel. Mentors can help you stand back from your business/organisation and look at the "big picture". They can offer helpful advice, caution against potential pitfalls and build your confidence in your own abilities.

With a pool of 600 volunteer mentors throughout Scotland who are willing and able to share their experiences, we'll find the right one to help you to challenge and support your plans in a way that suits you best. And it's free!

For more information, please contact Business Mentoring on 0845 609 6622 or at businessmentoring@agcc.co.uk, or visit www.businessmentoringscotland.co.uk

Third Sector Network

We know that the Third Sector (including charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations) are an important part of the business community in Aberdeen City and Shire. We'll be launching the Third Sector Network early 2012 for members to highlight some of the specific issues affecting the sector; from partnership working to training needs and community support to business mentoring for step change. Your responses will allow AGCC to provide increasingly tailored services for our members in the Third Sector.

If you would like to be part of the Third Sector Network, please contact Seona Shand, Head of Membership, for more information.

As a member of the Chamber, you can also get involved by sending information on third sector related news and events to Louise Shankley for inclusion on our Third Sector Network page.

Events

As part of the 'ultimate business network', the Chamber's events calendar features a wide range of networking opportunities from our popular Business Breakfasts to our City Connections networking lunches and our Lunch 'n' Learns to our Shire series. AGCC organises the annual Northern Star Business Awards, celebrating business success in the North-east. The Chamber Events Team also provides an event management service tailored to your specific needs.

For more information contact the Events Team on 01224 343901 or events@agcc.co.uk or visit www.agcc.co.uk/events.

Training

AGCC is committed to the development of skills and learning in the North-east. We have adapted our training provision to ensure all organisations, large and small, have the opportunity to enhance their skills. To accommodate your business needs, our course categories cover areas such as Business and People Management, Communications and Personal Development, Business Administration Skills and much more.

For more information contact the Training team on 01224 343917 or visit www.agcc.co.uk/agcc-skills-and-training-programmes.

Vocational Qualifications – 'Learn while you Earn'

Vocational Qualifications are an alternative way to up-skill in the workplace. At AGCC, we understand that you are an individual with unique aspirations and goals. No matter what you want to achieve, the Chamber VQ Team will help you every step of the way. Whether at the start of your career, or seeking to move up through your organisation, we'll give you support and guidance to help you succeed in your chosen career by achieving a Vocational Qualification in Business & Administration, Customer Service, Learning & Development or Management & Leadership.

Candidates undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship qualification may have access to funding from Skills Development Scotland facilitated by AGCC.

For more information, please contact the VQ Team on 01224 343914 or visit www.agcc.co.uk/vocational-qualifications.

Policy

The Chamber acts as the voice of business for its members, lobbying on issues which will impact them.

Policy is developed in conjunction with our Policy Council, as elected group of 27 members representing all sizes and sectors of our membership.Information gathered from the wider membership on an on-going basis is also fed into policy formulation and the Chamber has a number of virtual policy groups covering specific areas.

For more information, please contact the Policy Team on 01224 343913/343925 or visit www.agcc.co.uk/policypolicy

Our aim

Our members at the heart of the Chamber. Our Chamber at the heart of a strong and sustainable economy in the City and Shire. Our region at the heart of a prosperous country.