A specialist education provider that helps young people fulfil their potential has been welcomed as Dorset Chamber’s latest platinum business partner.

The chamber has joined forces with South West Regional Assessment Centre (SWRAC) Limited, which is based in Wimborne with six centres across Dorset and the Liverpool area.

SWRAC works with young adults aged 16 to 30 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those who are 16 to 18 who require alternative educational provision to mainstream school or college.

Dorset Chamber, with nearly 700 members representing 37,000 employees, is the county’s leading business support organisation and its voice of business.

Its business partner programme is for members that wish to make a greater contribution to the organisation and the business community.

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive , said: “We offer a very warm welcome to all at SWRAC and look forward to working together.

“As well as delivering important educational provision, SWRAC performs a valuable role preparing young people for life and the world of work.

“Its mission brings benefits for both the young people involved as well as the companies and organisations that employ them within our vibrant, dynamic and supportive local business community.”

Adrian Gunner, SWRAC managing director, said: “Our young people have a great deal to offer businesses.

“Our real-life and relevant education and employment programmes help them fulfil their potential and thrive in the workplace and society.

“We’re looking forward to building even stronger relationships within the local businesses community through our platinum business partner status while supporting the chamber in its important work.”

SWRAC, with a ‘good’ Ofsted rating since 2008, has its head office at Merley House, Wimborne. It also has with centres in Boscombe, Winton, Merley, Dorchester, Iford and Turlin Moor as well as a strong presence in Merseyside.

The 80-strong organisation, which started life in 1996 as an environmental management training organisation, supports about 200 young adults annually.

Its programmes include Prepare for Life, Prepare for Work, Supported Internship, Thrive, Vocational Study and Routes to Employment.

It also has an academic, year-long SPEED-You-UP course focused on developing young people’s entrepreneurial skills.

SWRAC staff work with a wide variety of employers to meet the careers aspirations of its learners and the needs of the employers in the local job market.

Dorset Chamber, founded in 1949, works closely with its business partners on campaigns, events and support for the business community.

It is the county’s ‘voice of business’ and the only chamber in the county accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which gives it a top seat in lobbying government.

Ranked as the leading chamber nationally with 120 five-star reviews on Google, the chamber has a vision for ‘a vibrant and prosperous Dorset business community that enhances the quality of life for all’.

Dorset Chamber has two premier business partners in the top tier of its membership: AFC Bournemouth and Lester Aldridge.

Members of its platinum business partners group are A-One Insurance Group, Blue Sky Financial Planning, Bournemouth Airport, Bournemouth & Poole College, Bournemouth University, CrowdComms, Deep South Media, Digital Storm, The Dolphin, Dorset Council, Enhanced, Field International, Greendale Construction Ltd, Image Republic, ITCS, JP Morgan, LocaliQ, Forvis Mazars, More Excelsior, Ocean Automotive, REIDsteel, Runway, Savills and SWRAC Independent Specialist College.

Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/ and https://swrac.co.uk/ for more information.