Scheme enlists business mentors (From The Northern Echo)
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Scheme enlists business mentors
6:24pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in North-East Business News
FIRMS are to work alongside school students on product development, as part of an initiative to fire youngsters' enthusiasm for careers in science and engineering.
The year nine pupils from seven secondary schools in Darlington will be given a real product development challenge based around science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) to complete with the help of representatives from regional firms and Stem ambassadors.
Ambassadors are people from science, technology and engineering backgrounds who have volunteered to become role models for young people.
About 108 pupils are expected to be involved in the Olympic Sports Stem Challenge, which takes place on Friday and Saturday.
Each member of the student teams will have a specific part to play in ensuring what they are working on could be launched onto the market as a product.
The event, being run by Darlington Borough Council and RTC North at the Dolphin Centre, forms part of the Foundation for Jobs campaign, launched by The Northern Echo.
One of the aims of the campaign, launched last month and supported by Darlington Partnership, is to provide 1,000 youngsters with the chance to establish links with local companies during the next 12 months.
It also aims to create at least 100 internships at firms in the borough, 100 apprenticeship places and inspire youngsters to develop entrepreneurial skills.
In Darlington borough alone, more than 1,000 young people under 25 are claiming jobseeker's allowance.
Darlington Borough Council chief executive Ada Burns said: "The council is committed to ensuring that our young people have the skills they need, and that employers are looking for, when they leave school.
"This event is a great opportunity for young people to meet local employers and Stem ambassadors and to find out more about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
"It will also help develop the employability skills and entrepreneurial characteristics of young people while giving them the chance to showcase their talents to their parents, schools and potential employers."
A number of employers and agencies will be exhibiting on Saturday, giving advice on available career routes.
The students' families have also been invited to attend to see what the students have been working on.
The top three teams will be invited to pitch their business to a panel of judges, who will present an award for the best product idea.
