A SCHOOL has been recognised for a scheme that helps pupils into work with a local employer.

Durham Community Business College - formerly Deerness Valley Comprehensive School - has been featured in School in Focus, on the TeacherNet website, for its Fit4Employment scheme, which has been running for three years with the Esh Group, a number of construction-related firms based at Bowburn.

The programme, which also involves New College Durham, gives youngsters work-based training and hands-on experience and has won Pathfinder status from the Department for Education and Science College, Durham.

So far, 60 pupils have been taken on as modern apprentices by the Esh Group.

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said: "I would like to congratulate everyone working at Durham Community Business College for their selection as a School in Focus.''

Gerry Sexton, the school's extended schools co-ordinator, said: "As well as the more traditional careers in construction, such as joiner, plumber, electrician, bricklayer and site engineer, the young people have taken up employment in all areas of administration and accounts within the company, and one even became an auto CAD technician. Significantly, as this is an aim of the project, there is a gender balance among those employed.''