LOCAL companies will visiting schools across the Bradford district to give young people a better idea on how to progress into their dream job.

Bradford Pathways is a partnership between several groups, including Bradford Council, the University of Bradford and the National Science and Media Museum to prepare young people for the future workforce.

The group has set up “Inspiring Bradford” as a way of encouraging young people to think about their futures and learning as soon as possible the best ways to achieve them.

As part of the scheme, local businesses have been asked to spare an hour and send a member of staff to a local school during the week of October 13 - 19 to talk about their jobs, what their organisation does and how they go to where they are today.

Over 40 schools have already registered and nearly 200 people have volunteered, although the group hope to get around 500 volunteers.

A spokesman said: “We see Inspiring Bradford as a pioneering a way of engaging employers and schools to work together to help young people and which is already attracting interest from other parts of the UK. As part of the week, we will be inviting a number of people from outside the area to come and visit schools, chat to young people and see for themselves what is happening here.”

People who have already been lined up to visit Bradford schools include Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBI; Dame Mary Archer, Chair of the Science Museum Group, Ann Mroz, Editor of the Times Educational Supplement; Zamila Bunglawala, Deputy Director, Cabinet Office; Nicola Brentnall, Director of The Queen’s Trust, Buckingham Palace and incoming President of the National Association of Head Teachers, Andrew Mellor.

Bradford schools regularly invite volunteers from the world of work to visit.

The group says that recent research, undertaken by the national charity Education and Employers has shown the impact such interactions have. For primary aged pupils, such visits can help bring learning to life, show children the meaning and relevance of the subjects they are studying and how they open up possibilities for them.

The group says: “If children see the opportunities that their school subjects can give them, then they are more likely to succeed academically. Volunteers also play a key role in providing children with role models and tackling stereotyping around both gender and ethnic background that starts in primary school.”

In secondary school, the research has shown that the number of interventions a young person has with the world of work impacts both their likelihood to become a NEET (Not in employment, education, or training) and the amount of money they earn in their careers, with four or more interventions being regarded as a minimum.

During the week in October there will be numerous activities taking place in different schools including activities in primary schools such as “what’s my line?”, with children trying to guess the volunteer’s career and “speed networking” in secondary schools, as well as CV and mock interview workshops.

Any businesses that want to take part in the event can email victoria.york@educationandemployers.org