Nearly 10,000 Leeds youngsters get helping hand with careers and apprenticeships
The programme has worked with more than 50 schools and colleges across the city
Nearly 10,000 young people across Leeds have received careers advice and support through a programme designed to help them make decisions about their futures.
Leeds City Council said its Informed Choices programme reached 9,983 young people during the 2025/26 academic year.
The employment and skills service worked with more than 50 schools, colleges and specialist settings across Leeds, as well as 1,030 parents and carers and 329 teachers.
The programme gives young people the chance to learn about apprenticeships, meet employers, attend careers events and find out more about the jobs and opportunities available locally.
Apprenticeship awareness sessions attracted 8,400 young people, while more than 20 careers activities were delivered in schools with the help of local businesses.
The council said the programme will continue during the 2026/27 academic year, with free careers and apprenticeship sessions available to eschools and colleges across Leeds.
The offer includes sessions for pupils in Year 10 and above, support from apprenticeship ambassadors, links with employers, careers activities and assemblies, and access to the Leeds careers education, information, advice and guidance network.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's deputy leader and executive member for economy, said: "The achievements of the Informed Choices programme really demonstrate the difference that strong partnerships between schools, colleges, employers and careers professionals can make for young people in Leeds.
"Behind every figure is a young person who has gained new information, met an employer, discovered an opportunity or developed greater confidence about their next step.
"We are incredibly proud of the reach of the programme and are looking forward to building on this success during the new academic year."
Two major careers events will also be held at Leeds first direct arena during the coming academic year.
Careers in Leeds will take place on November 3, followed by the Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair on February 9, 2027.
Schools, colleges and employers interested in getting involved with the Informed Choices programme can contact the council's employment and skills service at [email protected].