More than 300 young people were given an introduction to potential careers by experts from sectors as diverse as engineering and catering to the armed forces and sports.

The Foundation for Jobs interactive Careers and Opportunities Event enabled both school pupils and unemployed youngsters up to the age of 24 the opportunity to try practical activities related to a wide range of industries.

Around 190 pupils from Darlington secondary schools and 115 young people aged 16 to 24 attended last week’s event at the town’s Dolphin Centre.

Amongst companies and organisations represented at the event were The Banks Group, the Engineering Development Trust, The Forum Darlington, Sir Robert McAlpine, SEMTA, Rockliffe Hall, Sherwoods car dealership, Saks hair academy, Darlington College, the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Asda, Martin Gray Football Academy , S&D Training, The Army, The Royal Navy and Durham Police.

A number of training providers, offering advice on post-school options, were also represented including Morrisons Trust and the YMCA.

Darlington College principal Tim Grant, who sits on the Foundation for Jobs steering body, said: “The Careers and Opportunities Event was a terrific success and brought practical skills and vocational education to life.

“Young people got the chance to try their hand at all sorts of skills to give them a flavour of any future courses or careers they may choose.

“It shows that the best way of engaging with young people is to give them the opportunity to try things first-hand.”

The event was run in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Darlington College and JobCentre Plus.

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 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 contact Foundation for Jobs co-ordinator Owen McAteer at owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk