TWO teenagers are putting their skills and qualifications to good use by giving valuable career advice and guidance to schoolchildren.

Louise Wright and Helen McAninly both work for Durham University and are also involved in the Business Ambassadors project.

Business Ambassadors are employees who are interested in working with school pupils on a wide range of activities to help them better understand the world of work.

As well as performing their day jobs - they are both secretaries - Louise and Helen also spend time at local schools, helping pupils aged 11-16 with advice on careers and interview skills.

Both Louise and Helen have recently successfully completed Modern Apprenticeships in Business Administration, which were provided by the university and funded by the Learning and Skills Council County Durham.

The teenagers opted to take the MA route because although they were successful at school, neither of them had a desire to do A-levels.Louise, from Coxhoe, said: "I got 12 GCSE's but I preferred to do a Modern Apprenticeship because it is more hands-on and suited me better than the academic route."

Helen, formerly of Richmond, but now living in Durham, added: "I started my A-levels but they didn't suit me and I much prefer working and learning at the same time through the Modern Apprenticeship programme."

Louise and Helen will start a two-year HNC in Business and Finance in September and they both intend to follow this on with an HND and then a degree.

They say the Business Ambassador programme has really helped their development because it has improved their interpersonal skills and confidence.

Louise said: "Because the age gap between us and the children is not great, we have a really good rapport with them and I think we have more chance of influencing them than older people would."

Helen added: "We didn't have Business Ambassadors when I was at school and I think we can play an important role in helping to prepare young people for the world of work."

Louise's manager, Claire Tindale, said: "The Modern Apprenticeships have given both Louise and Helen the skills and confidence they need to be Business Ambassadors and we are delighted with their progress."

By the end of 2004, LSC County Durham aims to have almost 14,000 16-18-year-olds in structured learning.

One of the ways it hopes to achieve this target is through Modern Apprenticeships - a Government work-based option for 16 to 24-year-olds - which are available in more than 80 different careers.

For details call 0808 001 3219.