THOUSANDS of Medway firms have been urged to help young people better understand the world of work. A business breakfast at The Ship and Trades pub, Chatham Maritime, was held this week to encourage more companies to get involved with schools.

Bobby Neame hosted the event during his last few days as High Sheriff of Kent. He was concerned that too few young people would be equipped to fill jobs in the county's looming jobs explosion. "We are creating so many opportunities for jobs here in Kent and Medway," he said. "Why don't we use the indigneous population rather than draw it in from outside?"

Toni Clarke, manager of Medway Education Business Partnership, said there were 8,000 firms in Medway but only 1,600 were involved in helping young people. "There are thousands of companies out there that we would love to have on board," she said.

Tim Meadley, chief executive of the Kent and Medway Education Business Alliance, said employers complained that too many school-leavers were ill-prepared for the world of work, did not have the right skills, did not know what work is all about, and had "strange expectations". Yet 18,000 students were involved in work experience across the county, 700 teachers were found business placements, and local education business groups had set up more than 400 "mentoring" partnerships.

Meanwhile, Mr Neame called on school careers teachers to be given higher status. The job should be second only in importance and seniority to the head, he said.