SOCIAL networking-style websites are to be used to encourage youngsters, including those from disadvantaged communities, to seek careers in science and technology.

The £1m initiative, based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, will engage disadvantaged local communities and schools in science and innovation activities.

Part of the project will involve NETPark Net.Junior using social networking-style pages, similar to Facebook and Twitter, to link school pupils with industry and academia, promoting entrepreneurship in a scientific context.

Mentors, selected from Durham University PhD students, will assist school children with their projects.

The initiative aims to involve more than 1,000 people over the next two years, creating entrepreneurship, raising aspirations and providing career opportunities.

Dr Andrew Cattermole from Durham University, which is overseeing the project, said: “This will support the development of the future workforce and raise young people’s enthusiasm for that sector.

“Using NETPark as a hub, the initiative will provide community science activities, facilitate links between schools and science-based businesses, and provide support for careers advisors to highlight the range of local opportunities in science, engineering and technology.”

Funding for the project has come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), One North East and County Durham Development Company (CDDC) which manages and promotes NETPark on behalf of Durham County Council.

Last week, a European Commission delegation visited Netpark to see the project and meet some of the youngsters involved.

Jonathan Denness, who has responsibility for the UK and Irish ERDF programmes at the European Commission, said: “This is an exciting project using NETPark as a focus to build partnerships between the community, third sector groups, education, and business to increase entrepreneurship and innovation in County Durham.

“It will increase awareness of, and access to, the economic and social benefits of science and innovation within targeted disadvantaged communities and the local geographical community.

“We look forward to hearing about its future success in connecting support for science and innovation with all parts of the local area.”

Stewart Watkins, managing director of CDDC, said: “NETPark has the capability to create thousands of jobs and it is essential that we can draw upon local communities in the region to supply this workforce over the next five, ten or even 20 years. This project is absolutely vital for inspiring young people and adults to engage with science, understand the impact of technology can have on our daily lives and realise that they can have a career right here in the North- East.”

A feature of the programme will be a dedicated community exhibition and meeting space within the NETPark Incubator building.

CDDC is contributing £218,000 to the project, with £275,000 from One North East and £494,000 from the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13.