Secondary school pupils across the Highlands and Islands are being offered the chance to find out how manufacturing businesses operate through a new series of enterprise roadshows developed by Careers Scotland.

Entitled 'Make it in Scotland', the events form part of a nationwide initiative bringing together young people and manufacturers across Scotland. They aim to raise awareness of the wide range of careers available in 21st century manufacturing before pupils make their subject choices. 

Around 300 S1 and S2 pupils from Orkney will be the first in the Highlands and Islands to take part when Make it in Scotland 2004 kicks off at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall on Friday 30 January.

Over the next eight weeks, 14 events are due to be held across the Highlands and Islands, attracting a total of more than 5,000 pupils.

The Careers Scotland centre in Kirkwall has recruited 17 national and local manufacturing businesses for the launch event, each of whom will engage groups of around ten pupils to explain how their business operates. Every pupil will take part in three activities which show the diversity of local and regional career opportunities in manufacturing.

Businesses taking part are Imaginehowe, Artmachine (Scotland) Ltd, Orkney Herring, Orkney Isles Preserves, Highland Park, Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd, Stenness Chocolates, Brother UK Ltd, Alfred Flett Ltd, Orkney Glass Fibre, Ortak Jewellery Ltd, The Orkney Creamery, Belgarth Bodhrans, Colin William Tulloch Violin Maker, James Watt College and Orkney College.

Joyce Slater, Orkney locality manager, Careers Scotland, said: "We are aware of the contribution that manufacturing makes to the economy and understand that there is room for improvement in making sure young people are encouraged to think positively about the sector.  Not all pupils are aware of the opportunities, the challenges and the wide range of skills employed, before they make their career decisions."

Each show is designed to be entertaining as well as informative, with plenty of hands-on activities and opportunities for pupils to meet representatives of local businesses and quiz them about life in the workplace.

Topics covered will include research and development, design, production, prototyping, marketing and quality control. The activities will give young people a better understanding of the type of jobs and training available in manufacturing and related industries.

A similar series of roadshows last year attracted more than 55,000 pupils from 400 schools across Scotland.

Ian Carse, head of services with Careers Scotland in the Highlands and Islands, said:

"Scotland has a strong history of manufacturing and it remains an important sector of the economy which generates £36 billion every year.

"Nowadays, there is a fantastic range of careers associated with manufacturing, but we need to recognise that the popular image, among young people especially, lags behind that reality.

"By working with local schools and businesses, Careers Scotland believes that these roadshows will help to improve the image of manufacturing and open pupils' eyes to careers they might otherwise not have considered.

"Make it in Scotland gives young people hands on experience of the workplace to help them make their subject choices and lets manufacturers raise their profile in the local area.  Last year's events were very popular and we are looking forward to taking the show on the road to a whole new audience over the coming weeks."

More information about the initiative is available online at www.makeitinscotland.co.uk