SCHOOLCHILDREN have been given inspiration on how they can engineer a brighter, greener future.

The Foundation for Jobs project held the Engineering Low Carbon Excellence event for about 100 pupils from secondary schools in the Darlington area.

The event, at Lingfield Point in the town, was aimed at giving youngsters an insight into green technology. Major businesses from the region, such as Nissan, Cummins and Banks Renewables, held interactive workshops for the pupils – each showing an exciting side to science and engineering.

But the event was also designed to show the next generation of workers the opportunities that are available to them in the region.

The Foundation for Jobs, launched in January, is aimed at tackling youth unemployment and has been backed by The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership.

Its patron, the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby, attended the event yesterday to see the pupils take part in the workshops.

He told the children: “This sort of stuff is what gives a future to the area and to people like you and if you have got the skills then the jobs are there for the taking.”

The groups of teenagers, who will choose their GCSE subjects next year, took part in activities ranging from making batteries out of potatoes and lemons to computer-aided design.

Paris Roger Stewart, 13, who studies at Darlington’s Education Village, said: “The day has been great, we have enjoyed it.

“It has been quite exciting and showed us what options are out there for us. We have been in an electric car, which is really exciting, and I’m looking forward to learning about wind energy.”

Foundation For Jobs coordinator Owen McAteer said: “All the businesses that came were very positive about the appetite and enthusiasm of the kids.

“We wanted to show them the wide variety of jobs available in engineering because there is a perception of engineering that doesn’t tally with reality.

“This is the first of a series of events the foundation is planning over the year to encourage young people to take an interest in the industries that are set to be a major creator of jobs in years to come.”