ACHIEVEMENTS in the science and technology sector in York are likely to make anyone gulp.

Hence the free "bite size" taster courses as part of a new initiative by Science City York and the Learning & Skills Council North Yorkshire to get more local people into technology.

The tasters are informal hands-on workshops which provide an easy way to find out more about an interest or learn a new skill. The aim is to encourage residents to take "next step" training and join the growing ranks who have entered science and technology careers.

Nearly 500 jobs have been created in science and technology in York and the surrounding area, bringing the total science and technology jobs to 2,641 over the last six years - a 60 per cent increase since Science City York was launched in 1998.

Science and technology now employs as many local people as tourism with 9,000 involved in Science City York's three key areas - Bioscience, IT & Digital, and Creative Technologies.

The free two-hour courses began this week and continue next year leading up to and as part of the York Festival of Science & Technology, which will take place in various venues across the city between March 11 and March 20.

Kicking off the courses this week was Using A Digital Camera Taster, at Future Prospects, the training provider in Swinegate, York, attended by eight people who learned the basics of digital photography. Bite Size Tasters for next year include: Creative Writing, Introduction To Animation and The Science Of The Kitchen.

Anna Rooke, manager of Science City York, said: "We are a successful, thriving and rapidly-developing community of more than 240 science, technology and creative organisations offering a wealth of exciting opportunities for local people."

Updated: 11:20 Friday, December 10, 2004