SCORES of school students will be given a practical introduction to the low-carbon technologies changing the face of North-East industry next month.

The Foundation for Jobs project will hold the Engineering Low Carbon Excellence event for about 100 pupils from secondary schools in the Darlington area.

Leading firms in the region are supporting the event, including Nissan, Cummins, C and A Pumps and South-West Durham Training.

The Foundation for Jobs, launched in January, is an initiative to tackle youth unemployment involving Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership, of public and private-sector organisations.

The students will be given an insight into new green technology, such as wind turbines and electrical vehicles, for which the North-East is becoming an industrial hub.

They will also be shown how traditional manufacturing and engineering firms are embracing green technology to secure business.

The aim is to inspire children to consider careers in industries that will provide a large percentage of the jobs created in the North-East over the coming years.

The youngsters taking part are aged 13 and will choose their GCSE options in the next school year.

It is hoped the event will inspire them to take subjects that could help them secure jobs or apprenticeships in low-carbon fields. The event is being hosted at Lingfield Point, the green business park being developed by regenerating buildings and space at the former Patons and Baldwins wool factory site in Darlington.

Lingfield Point estate manager Eddie Humphries said: “We are delighted to be involved with engineering excellence with Darlington-wide schools.

“We are keen to encourage a greater understanding of the potential of low-carbon technology for future generations and how our young can embrace this emerging industry.

“Our masterplan for Lingfield Point embraces many of these technologies.

“It is great to be able to provide suitable space to ensure leaders of tomorrow can gain practical experience outside of the classroom, enabling our young, local people to secure a head-start in their career.”

Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s lead member for economy and regeneration, said: “It is important that our young people get an understanding of the careers that will be available to them in the North-East and the subjects they need to be studying to enter those careers.

“In addition, we need to be helping to spark an interest in industries they may not have thought of before and making them realise that many of the things happening in sectors such as engineering are directly connected to things they are already interested in, such as technology.

“It is great that so many firms are giving up their valuable time to help us with this event.”