A pilot project set up to help young people gain jobs in the engineering industry has proved to be a major success.

Twelve young people, currently in their final year at school, joined an enhanced work experience programme organised by Bradford training company BTAL UK, which offered practical skills across a broad range of engineering disciplines.

This was through the Access to Engineering programme which aims to address the image and recruitment problems in the engineering industry.

Four local engineering companies - Bradford Cylinders, Hindle, Gears, IMI Ryecroft, and Switchgear Instrumentation - provided the expertise and tuition, in a series of after school sessions.

BTAL's chief executive John Robertshaw said: "The pupils attended a three hour sessions after school for 16 consecutive weeks and the companies devoted a vast amount of time and experience. This was a hands-on type approach, with the students gaining experience of electrical, fabrication, machining and design engineering."

The teenagers, all due to take their GCSEs this summer, came from four local schools - Eccleshill, Queensbury, Tong and Thornton Grammar. Nine of the dozen have now committed themselves to a career in engineering when they leave school in a few months time. The other three will continue in full time education.

Bradford & District Training & Enterprise Council chief executive David Wilkinson said: "This has been a highly successful venture. I applaud the companies and the students for their tremendous enthusiasm."

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