YOUNG people are to be given a hands-on introduction to numerous careers at a special event.

The Foundation for Jobs interactive Careers and Opportunities Event, at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre, will enable both school pupils and unemployed people up to 24-years-old, the opportunity to try practical activities related to a wide range of industries.

The event, which will take place on May 16, is in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Darlington College and JobCentre Plus, and will offer an in-depth introduction to career sectors ranging from engineering and construction to music production and sports.

Once again local industry has stepped up to support the aims of Foundation for Jobs with Cummins Engines, Rockliffe Hall, Sherwoods and The Banks Group just some of the organisations supporting the event.

Sessions at the event will be tailored for individual young people and see them taking part in a sector specific practical activity delivered by industry, followed by a discussion with workers or apprentices from that sector and finally a briefing from training providers on the qualifications required to access courses and training.

Coun Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy and regeneration and chairman of the Foundation for Jobs board, said: “Throughout Foundation for Jobs we have found that practical activities help to increase young peoples understanding and enthusiasm for various industry sectors.

“We also wanted to host an event where young people where given very specific information and guidance on sectors in which they have expressed an interest.

“Hopefully this way they will be better placed to find their way into employment in these sectors.”

The national award-winning Foundation for Jobs campaign was launched last year against a rising tide of youth unemployment in Darlington and the wider North-East.

It is a joint initiative involving the Darlington Partnership, a body of private and public sector organisations and employers in the borough, including The Northern Echo and Darlington Borough Council.

The campaign aimed to tackle first hand the reasons employers were not taking on more young people and also why the young people were not finding their way into available jobs.

The former Bishop of Durham, now Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby is patron of the campaign, which in the past year the campaign has helped more than 1,300 young people from primary school age to 24 be better prepared for work, through industry linked activities, internships, work experience and apprenticeships.

For further details on Foundation email Owen McAteer at owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk