STUDENTS from a Baildon school will get some extra advice to help them make better choices at GCSE and help shape their future.

A special event is being set up by Titus Salt School as a partnership with local businesses and a newly established programme called Bradford Pathways, which works by building collaboration between education, businesses and industry to make sure that education matches the future skills requirements of employers and job-seekers.

The event, which will take place this evening, will involve businesses from the health, retail and engineering sectors, including the Czajka Care Group, Bradford City Football Club, ASDA and Carnaud Metal Box.

The businesses involved will give advice on the kinds of roles and careers that will be available in the future and the qualifications and skills that young people need to be successful in them. Students with their parents will have the opportunity to discuss their needs with the people from the four businesses, along with accessing career advice from Prospects and information about apprenticeships from Shipley College.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Executive Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said: "Understanding where the jobs of the future will be and the qualifications that you'll need to get them is not easy so I really welcome local businesses getting involved in the Bradford Pathways initiative. It enables young people to hear directly from employers about what they are looking for in a new recruit. It shows the positive way in which schools and businesses can work together to support parents and students to make informed choices.”

Richard Foster, Deputy Head Teacher at Titus Salt School, said: "We've set up this evening so they can hear from different businesses, as well as school staff, on the kinds of skills and qualifications that they are looking for. We hope that this will give young people a clearer focus when it comes to choosing their options and planning for their future career.”

The evening runs from 6.30pm to 8.15pm tomorrow.