The Government-backed Careers and Enterprise Co has contracted Sunderland-based business consultancy RTC North (www.rtcnorth.co.uk) to deliver a skills-enhancement programme to young people across the North East.

The employer mentoring programme will build on the STEM Ambassador contract that RTC North has been leading for 11 years in County Durham and Tees Valley.

RTC is now developing the STEM Ambassador Hub North East by bringing in business people to encourage and inspire students.

The plan is for ambassadors from local businesses to work with primary and secondary schools and Further Education colleges “to boost students’ interest and involvement with the working world”.

Jamie Ollivere, director of RTC North, said: “Skills and talent retention are hugely important to the region’s economic health. STEM Ambassadors will have a direct impact on the people who could make a difference to the North East’s future.

“We’re working closely with our partners to help drive growth through these programmes, which will give thousands of local students business experience.

Substantive outcomes will only happen when schools, colleges, businesses and our partners interlink cohesively. Then the influence of the STEM programmes and employer mentoring will add up to create a real regional impact.”

RTC is working with Science Learning Partnerships, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Tees Valley Unlimited and Computing at Schools.