BUSINESS leaders from across the North-East have been visiting the region’s schools this week as part of a national initiative.

Organised by the Education and Employers Taskforce, the Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign involves business experts meeting young people to discuss how they can be more actively involved in the education, employability and motivation of youngsters aged five to 19.

It will focus on areas such as mentoring, careers advice, work experience and becoming a school governor.

About 30 North-East schools, including Belmont Primary School, near Durham, Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, Nunthorpe School, near Middlesbrough, Wolsingham School Community College, in County Durham, and Darlington Education Village are involved in the project, which concludes tomorrow.

Fred Felton, apprenticeship manager with engineering company Caterpillar, in Peterlee, said: “We currently employ nearly 800 people, and most of them are from the east Durham area.

“Going into schools allows us to talk to young people who could be our future employees about the skills and attributes we look for.

“We have just employed another seven apprentices, and they have all come from local schools.”