THOUSANDS of young people will be focusing on jobs and training at Medway's biggest careers fair. Organisers hope the Futures Roadshow will encourage more students to study for degrees. The area has a below average proportion of graduates.

The roadshow, which starts on March 4, takes place in Medway secondary schools over two weeks with displays and talks by a wide range of employers.

Organiser Toni Clarke said: "We want to raise our students' aspirations, help them look for challenging careers and recognise the importance of lifelong learning. There's definitely a need for a careers fair. I spoke to a lot of teachers and they said 'let's do something extraordinary,' so that's what we have done.

"There has never been more choice in work and courses and students need to know what they should be doing to take advantage of what's on offer - the opportunities are endless. More than 80 organisations from all over the country will be represented."

Youngsters from Years 10 to 13 - aged 15 to 18 - are invited to evening sessions to be held from Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 9pm over the two weeks. Parents are welcome and transport has been arranged by organisers Medway Education Business Partnership.

The schedule is:

Monday 4 March

Rochester Math/Rochester Girls Grammar

Business, business administration, finance, law, banking, insurance, etc.

Tuesday 5 March

Hundred of Hoo

Public Services, Armed Forces, Police, Fire Service, teaching etc.

Wednesday 6 March

Fort Pitt

Health - medical, biology, psychology, caring professions, veterinary/animal care etc.

Thursday 7 March

Chatham Grammar for Girls

Media and Art, Performing Arts, Floristry etc.

Monday 11 March

Rainham Girls/Howard

Leisure and Tourism, Gap Year, Sport, Hair and Beauty, catering, Customer Service etc.

Tuesday 12 March

Greenacre/Walderslade Girls

Construction, engineering, training, technical, motor vehicle, environment etc.

Wednesday 13 March

Upbury Manor

Careers in IT and Training Providers etc.

Thursday 14 March

Chatham Grammar for Boys/Chatham South

Languages, retail, marketing, publishing, logistics, etc.