Local businesses in East Cambridgeshire will be going back to the classroom this week as they meet Year 11 students to explain how to convert potential skills into a future career.

The companies including Shearline, Mitchell Instruments and Forces Recruitment will be working alongside Ely Job Centre Plus and Cambridge Regional College at Witchford Village College on Tuesday 22 October as part of the new Youth Enterprise Forum.

The Forum has been developed by East Cambridgeshire District Council and aims to bring together young people, businesses and partners to help raise awareness of the local opportunities, world class businesses and ways to work in the district.

On the day as part of their Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), 140 students will rotate through five different themed rooms. They will hear from business leaders and career specialists on topics ranging from apprenticeships to practical CV/interview tips to help youngsters develop a career path.

Cllr Tom Hunt at East Cambridgeshire District Council, who helped create the initiative, said : "We have created the Youth Enterprise Forum to support secondary schools throughout East Cambridgeshire to link with local businesses to help their students to better understand the career choices ahead of them. For local companies, they get the chance to meet and talk directly to young people about what future careers could hold and how to best use their potential."

Cllr Tom Kerby, who leads on economic development at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "We have been working closely with Witchford Village College to bring together all the elements which we believe will make a real difference to their students lives. For example in the special ‘Business room’, a local business will come in to talk about how they operate, the types of roles that help get a product/service from A-B and then engage the students in a simple business task to highlight essential communication and teamwork skills. It is through this sort of work that we can ensure that future generations in East Cambridgeshire know of the great options which they have as they stand at the beginning of their careers."

Shona McKenzie, Vice Principal - Pastoral at Witchford Village College, said: "At Witchford Village College we pride ourselves in our programme of Personal Social Health Education which has been tailored to students particular needs. To do this effectively we work alongside much local business and outside agencies - these people have a clear understanding of how they contribute to delivering these sessions

"Personal, social and health education (PSHE) helps to give young people the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up."

For more information on the Youth Enterprise Forum please call 01353 665555 or visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk.