An education charity has been awarded government funding to improve employability skills of students in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire.

The money from The Careers and Enterprise Company will see Future First boost the ambition of students at five secondary schools and colleges in the region.

It comes as Fenland and East Cambridgeshire has been identified by the government as one of 12 opportunity areas - regions which face challenges in improving social mobility and enabling young people to succeed.

Under the initiative, Future First will enable careers staff and teachers in Cromwell Community College, Sir Harry Smith Community College, Soham Village College, Neale-Wade Academy and Witchford Village College to build a sustainable alumni network registering hundreds of employers as volunteers.

The alumni will volunteer in assemblies and workshops, offer work experience and intensive world at work days when students will broaden their jobs horizons by meeting former students in a diverse range of fields.

Matt Lent, chief executive of Future First, said: “The government has clearly recognised the value that former students provide in acting as relatable role models who can inspire and motivate today’s young people.”