DAVID HARBOURNE, director of the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire hails the scheme that will provide the backbone to the Yorkshire economy of the future.

AS THE working environment becomes increasingly competitive, it's never too soon for young people - and their parents and teachers - to start thinking about the kind of skills and personal attributes which will make them stand out in the crowd when it comes to taking their first steps on the career ladder.

Whatever the trade or profession they choose, there are a range of strengths, such as confidence, self awareness, teamwork, and innovative approach to problem solving, and the ability to think one step ahead, which will give any young person a head start in the world of work.

That's why I'm delighted to see the launch this month of Skillsfest, which aims to raise student awareness of careers, training and progression routes, with a very strong emphasis on skills.

The main focus of the initiative is to create a series of industry-led challenges to be undertaken by mixed teams, including four 14 to16-year-old students, a student from further education, an apprentice and representatives from business and industry.

Each team will form a 'limited company' to work on a specific industry challenge chosen from the region's four priority industry sectors which have been identified by the Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward.

They are Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing, Bioscience, Digital Industries, and Food and Drink (including Agriculture) - four sectors which are tipped to form the backbone of the region's economy over years to come - so this is a real chance for young people to get some real hands-on experience of industries they could well end up working in.

The teams will each have six months to show what they can do - with final judging by a team of business experts taking place in the Spring of next year, when winners for each sector, an overall winner and the most innovative team will be picked.

There will also be a major event on December 1 and 2 at the Yorkshire Events Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, where an exciting, colourful and very active event will enable students to get a feel for the wide range of skills that industry are looking for - and what they can do to develop those skills.

The Learning and Skills Council is supporting the initiative, which has been developed by NYBEP - the Business and Education Partnership for York and North Yorkshire,Young Enterprise - Yorkshire and Humber and Lifeskills International. But we can't do it all alone - we need the active engagement of business throughout York and North Yorkshire to make it a total success.

We're looking for local businesses to get involved - maybe by running an active workshop for students or producing a display about your work at the December event, or by volunteering to play your part in the industry challenge, either as a team member or a judge.

So if you want to play a part in helping our young people develop the skills you need them to have to help build a sound economic future for York and North Yorkshire,

Updated: 09:15 Tuesday, July 27, 2004