PRIMARY pupils at a host of Trafford schools are getting an early insight into the world of work, thanks to an innovative scheme.

And they will be using their artistic skills when they take part in a poster competition.

The company We Aspire runs the 'Aspirations Programme', which takes children on a journey of discovery about themselves and about the careers they could do in the future.

Nursel Tok and Isabel Freeman of We Aspire set up the programme in response to the finding of the Hughes report on access to education.

The report discovered that access to further and higher education and the ability of young people to make informed choices about their futures was made more difficult because of low aspirations and poor careers guidance.

Now, as part of the programme, children in Year 6 at the Firs, Woodheys, Wellfield, Highfield, Elmridge and Acre Hall primary schools are working in groups to explore different careers.

Each group is also producing a poster that will be displayed at their schools' careers fairs in the summer term, then at an exhibition at Sale Library, Sale Waterside from Monday, July 17, with the winning team receiving an award.

Antony Dutton, the headteacher at Wellfield Junior School, Sale, praised the scheme.

He said: "We Aspire has been a real inspiration to our Year 5 and Year 6 children, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the world of work.

"It opens their eyes, helps them to develop a sense of ambition and to understand and motivate them to work hard in school. It helps them to identify their own strengths and talents and believe in themselves.

"The careers fair was a real highlight, when the Year 6 children had the opportunity to meet and talk to people from all kinds of working backgrounds."

We Aspire would like to hear from any schools who would like to be involved in the programme or employers who would like to be involved in the career fairs. Email info@we-aspire.co.uk or visit http://we-aspire.co.uk/