STUDENTS at seven secondary schools in Bradford are to benefit from a boost in careers advice thanks to Government funding to improve their employability skills.

Education charity Future First has been awarded the funding from the Government-backed The Careers and Enterprise Company to broaden the jobs horizons and boost the ambition of students at the seven schools by harnessing the talents and experience of former students.

It was announced in October that Bradford had been named an opportunity area - one of 12 across the country which face challenges in improving social mobility and enabling young people to succeed.

A total of £72 million of Department for Education funding is being shared by Bradford and the other areas over three years to help make sure young people can access high quality education and opportunities at all stages.

One element of the project is about improving employability skills through tailored careers advice.

Schools and colleges taking part in the scheme are Beckfoot Oakbank, Beckfoot Thornton, Bingley Grammar School, Feversham College, Hanson Academy, Ilkley Grammar School and Southfield School.

Under the initiative, Future First will enable careers staff and teachers in each school to build an alumni network registering hundreds of employers as volunteers and engaging them to inspire thousands of current students.

The alumni will be expected to volunteer in assemblies and workshops, offer work experience and intensive world at work days when students will broaden their jobs horizons by meeting former students in a diverse range of fields.

Future First research shows alumni can transform students’ motivation by acting as relatable role models grounded in the community.

Matt Lent, chief executive of Future First, which is working in all the Government’s 12 opportunity areas, said: “The government has clearly recognised the value that former students provide in acting as relatable role models who can inspire and motivate today’s young people.

“If students see that someone who sat at the same school desk, perhaps had the same teachers and is from the same background has gone on to succeed, they are more likely to believe they can too.”