Hundreds of Bradford schoolchildren got a taste of what their futures might hold during a national work experience day.

Pupils at Windhill Church of England Primary School, in Shipley, got a hands-on flavour of the construction industry today on 11 Million Takeover Day when social landlord Incommunities sent tradespeople from its property solutions service to the school.

Children visited Incommunities’ headquarters to take part in quizzes, build a paper tower and meet apprentices. Later in the day, they worked on a workshop rig constructed in their school hall to try basic plumbing, joinery and electrical tasks.

Fifteen-year-old Ilkley Grammar School pupil Aiden Higgins, a member of the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament, had a high-powered appointment.

He shadowed Bradford Council’s chief executive Tony Reeves as he visited Royds Community Centre, in Buttershaw. He attended meetings with Council officers and directors and sat in on a monthly meeting with the district’s MPs.

Aiden said: “When I heard about this I jumped at the chance. It will give me a great opportunity to see how the Council works and to take part in a day in the life of our chief executive.

“I am also interested in politics so the meeting with MPs will be very interesting for me.”

Young people at Lowfold Family Centre, in Keighley, met their localities area manager Carolyn Hargreaves to discuss their recent consultation with young people about how services could be improved.

A total of 300 primary school pupils were welcomed to Future House, the headquarters of private education support services firm Education Bradford.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Bradford woman, Sarah Hodgson, took over as head of fundraising on the British Red Cross senior management team at its London head office.