Thousands of Year 10 and 11 students from across Derbyshire descended on Pride Park Stadium for the fifth annual Derbyshire Skills Festival earlier this week.

Derby County player Jason Beardsley kicked off this year's festival, which was organised by the Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, supported by Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council and Connexions Derbyshire.

Young people and their parents were able to explore the wide range of opportunities available to school leavers, presented as a mix of live demonstrations and interactive workshops. Advice and guidance about different career opportunities was also be available.

Mick Brown, Area Director, LSC Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, comments: "The Derbyshire Skills Festival is an open-door opportunity for young people to find out about the myriad of opportunities that await them - from further education and vocational learning to jobs and training. The event is now a firm annual fixture in the calendar and has helped thousands of young people determine the direction they want to take with their lives."

Dianne Campbell, project manager for the Derbyshire Skills Festival explains, "The Skills Festival is a real 'hands on' event, letting young people experience taster sessions so they can make more informed decisions about their future.

"They were able to test their scientific skills in the 'lab in the lorry,' have a go at being a television presenter, watch live music and dance or try plastering, plumbing and brick laying. There really was something for everyone!"

During the day over 4,500 pupils from 46 schools across Derbyshire attended, and later on in the day the festival opened to the wider community with young people and their parents or carers invited along to get all the help, information and advice they need.

Rams defender Beardsley (pictured opening the festival) says: "I'm lucky enough to have a clear career path ahead of me, but if I didn't have football then an event like this would have been a great help.It's amazing the choices you have when you leave school - I know I had no idea there were so many so hopefully this event really helped other young people with their choices."

This year the festival had over 60 exhibitors including local training providers, school sixth forms, colleges, universities, together with employers from numerous sectors including agriculture, engineering, leisure and tourism, public services and the armed forces.