YOUNG people need to be equipped with soft skills as well as qualifications to impress prospective employers, the new education representative on the Foundation for Jobs board has claimed.

Confidence, high self-esteem and good communications skills are as important as exam results as school-leavers try to secure their futures in an exciting jobs market, says headteacher Calvin Kipling.

The head of Darlington School of Mathematics and Science (DSMS) has been appointed to the Foundation for Jobs Board replacing the retiring Keith Cotgrave, who has stepped down as executive head of the Longfield Academy Trust.

Foundation for Jobs is a national award winning initiative involving The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council, education providers and the Darlington Partnership of public and private sector organisations.

It has worked with 2,700 young people aged between 10 and 24 since its launch two years ago.

A major strand of the campaign is linking young people with industry while they are still at school to help the students develop employability skills and broaden their understanding of what is required by North-East industry.

Research has shown that engaging children in work related activities while still in education can lead to them being up to five times less likely to be unemployed at the age of 25.

Mr Kipling sees schools as having a vital role in preparing all young people for the world of work, whether that route takes them into apprenticeships, higher education or straight into the jobs market.

He said: “The jobs market for young people is incredibly varied so it isn’t sufficient to just have qualifications as the majority of children leave school with them.”

“As teachers it is what else we can add that is vitally important. “Many jobs come through contacts and understanding the quality of opportunities out there.”

On top of securing good grades, he said the school worked to build young people’s self-belief and confidence, imbue them with soft skills, such as politeness, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved, and help them avoid the pitfalls, including potentially damaging personal profiles on social media.

Students were also exposed to the outside world with trips into industry, Foundation for Jobs events and work experience.

Careful careers advice from knowledgeable staff was complemented by programmes such as Future First, which invited past pupils back into school to inspire pupils with their experiences.

“Myths can so easily become rumours which become reality then legend,” Mr Kipling said.

“The perception around university, of being saddled with debt, often puts young people off yet in reality it isn’t the case.

“We are here to boost aspirations and inform students about the best routes forward.

"Our responsibility to them stretches way beyond the classroom.”

He added adult intervention was vital.

The vertical tutoring system used at DSMS, which allowed for mixed year tutor groups, also meant they had daily contact with an adult which made them feel much more comfortable and confident in the company of older people.

All pupils perform a presentation before their house group to provide experience for future education and jobs interviews.

Children were also tutored in the importance of building a portfolio that included interests, hobbies, experiences and achievements.

For the first time in the history of the school a trip had been organised to help impoverished families in Africa that required the mobilisation of all students to raise the money for those selected to go.

“Foundation for Jobs helps the community realise that we have a responsibility to ensure our young people have the ability to plan their own futures,” Mr Kipling said.

“It provides the perfect platform and I believe proves Darlington is forward thinking in the way it helps its young people.”