A BUSINESS Ambassador scheme which helps students prepare for the world of work now has more than 70 volunteers in the Darlington area.

The Tees Valley scheme, which includes Darlington, has only been running for a year but already has almost 200 ambassadors across Darlington and Teesside.

The scheme, which aims to help companies and schools link up and work together effectively, also operates across the region.

Learn2Work, which runs the scheme, is looking for yet more employers to allow their workers to become ambassadors.

Companies are asked to release employees for three days a year, on top of one-and-a-half days of training, to take part in activities in primary and secondary schools, and colleges.

These include industry days, careers advice, social and health education, employability, interview skills and enterprise activities.

Pupils gain an insight into the world of work and their school subjects are brought alive by people who are not teachers, parents or careers advisors.

Employers take part to raise their companies' profiles and to contribute to staff development.

Companies involved in the scheme include Middlesbrough Football Club, Teesside Chemical Initiative, the University of Teesside and Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton borough councils.

Learn2Work said that since the scheme was set up, it had delivered about 70 activity days in more than 30 schools, with 22 events in 14 schools taking place in the spring term this year.

Some business ambassadors and their companies have worked to develop the Jigsaw guide (jobs information guide, skills appropriate to work).

This is an information package for pupils, teachers and business ambassadors of CV writing, interview techniques, and employability skills.

A spokeswoman for Learn2Work said: "It is hard to believe that this time last year Business Ambassadors in the Tees Valley was just an idea, not yet a reality."

Anyone wanting more information about the scheme can contact Learn2Work on (01642) 353222.