STUDENTS have taken part in an event that aims to promote careers in the oil and gas industry, despite a plunge in the price of oil in recent years.

Around 1,000 15 to 18-year-olds will attend North East Skills 2016 to engage with businesses and help decide on their future career.

The two-day event, which is being held at the Metro Newcastle Arena, will involve students from 65 schools from Darlington, Hartlepool and County Durham, as well as across Northumberland.

Opito, an organisation which encourages people to work in the oil and gas industry, showcased their Energise Your Future initiative at the exhibition, which sees employees from leading firms highlight their graduate and apprenticeship schemes.

GE Oil & Gas, Hydrasun, JDR Cables, Soil Machine Dynamic and TDR Training are amongst the firms taking part, hoping to promote career opportunities in the industry.

Students took part in interactive activities such as flying a simulated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) underwater, building a bridge and testing its weight capacity.

Liz Davis-Smith, regional business and communications manager at Opito, said she would like to see more girls inspired to enter the industry.

“It is not only the oil and gas industry. We are no different to say the automotive industry when it comes to attracting girls, especially those going down the technical and apprenticeship route.”

She also encourage students not to be put off by the latest crisis in the oil and gas industry, which has seen oil prices plummet since 2014.

“We have to keep attracting people to the industry, otherwise we will be in a worse position.

“It is worth remembering it takes four years to do an apprenticeship, so by then, we will hopefully have hit a peak.

“It has been a tough downtown but it appears to be stabilising.

“Historically we have always recovered and it will happen again” she added.