PUPILS have been given a firsthand insight into apprenticeships ahead of preparing to make the most important decisions of their lives.

Darchem Engineering employees James Watmore, 23, and Libby Johnson, 18, gave final year pupils at Hummersknott Academy in Darlington an account of their experiences as apprentices.

Mr Watmore started an apprenticeship at 18 after completing his A-levels and was named UK Nuclear Apprentice of the Year in March.

He is now a manufacturing engineer at the Stillington firm and is studying for a higher education qualification, supported by the company.

Apprentice welder Libby Johnson, 18, is one of the growing number of young women entering the traditionally male-dominated engineering sector.

Around 250 pupils at the school took part in hour-long sessions led by Ben Haddon of the Engineering Development Trust.

The aim was to open the students eyes to how apprenticeships might be a possible route for them to build a career once they have left school.

Graham Payne managing director of Darchem Engineering, is an ambassador for the Foundation for Jobs initiative, which aims, amongst other targets, to create 100 additional apprenticeships for young people in the region this year.

He said: “I felt it was really important to be able to demonstrate to young people who are leaving school at 16 that there are opportunities out there for them, with regard to engineering apprenticeships, that would put them in very good stead for the future.

“With James and Libby they could see two young people with a long career ahead of them.”

Mr Payne added that he was delighted that James and Libby had been able to represent their industry and Darchem itself in such a positive way. Darchem already employs more than 50 apprentices and aims to take on between 15 and 20 each year.

Mr Haddon said: “It is very important that we raise the awareness of young people as to the opportunities available to them when they finish school.

“By having the apprentices in the school it gives the pupils information which will help them make an informed decision.

“For a lot of students going to university isn’t necessarily the right alternative, they have other options of which apprenticeships is one.

“I think what we have also demonstrated is that apprenticeships are not a non-academic option, which some people do think, for example James came in after his A-levels and is now doing a degree.”

Foundation for Jobs, launched in January, is a joint initiative between the Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership, which includes Darlington Borough Council as well as public and private sector organisations.

Darchem employs around 650 staff working across its five business units covering aerospace, insulation systems, specialist fabrications, thermal protection and nuclear systems for sectors such as the motor industry, defence and oil and gas.