Bristol lead the drive to raise youngster's job goals

Six Bristol primary schools are taking part in a pilot scheme as part of a Government drive for career-related learning.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls launched the programme on Monday with the help of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and veteran footballer Ryan Giggs.

The idea is to help raise aspirations and awareness of the world of work from a young age and to involve parents in encouraging their children to consider a range of options.

Mr Balls said starting careers advice at 14 was too late: the work had to begin while children were still in primary school.

Research suggests that youngsters in deprived areas already believe by the age of 11 that universities and certain careers are out of reach.

The Government wants to challenge that stereotype and ensure that careers advice keeps pace with the rapidly changing 21st-century work environment.

It has set aside £10 million to help develop innovative ways to give modern and accessible careers advice, information and guidance, using online tools such as Facebook and YouTube.

Bristol has been allocated £60,000 for its project with the six schools, Bankleaze, Blaise and Henbury Court in the north and Cheddar Grove, Parson Street and Compass Point in the south.

The money will be used to work with Year 6 pupils on a scheme called Explore My Future. This involves worksheets for children to complete with their parents, stickers they can collect, city tours, visits to workplaces, work with business volunteers and a drama project.

It builds on the citywide My Future, My Choice programme, now in its third year, which encourages Year 5 children to think about their ambitions and how they might achieve them.

Hugh Thomas, who runs the programme, said: "Bristol is well ahead of the game because of its engagement with business through the charity Ablaze.

"This money from the Government will help us to provide materials to continue our work."