YOUNG people were inspired by employees who talked to them about different career options.

The Year 9 pupils at Testbourne School in Whitchurch took part in a careers event organised by Basingstoke Consortium, when representatives from various organisations spent the day with them.

Those involved in the event were Gillette, Thames Water, Standard Life, an independent artist, Laverstoke Park Farm and Naomi House Hospice.

The students took part in various activities designed to show them how their school subjects relate to the world of work.

Rachel Parker, from Basingstoke Consortium, said: “It shows them how different subjects are used in a variety of different jobs. For example, the farmer from Laverstoke gave them all a maths problem working out the costs. That’s the last thing you would expect you need to be a farmer.

“It gave them the chance to see how skills can be transferable and raise their aspirations. It links the curriculum to careers.”

Lucy Colegate, a freelance artist, told the pupils how she launched her career after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome aged 12.

She said: “I was cycling at the time and had to quickly change my career and put all my time and energy into my drawing.”

The 19-year-old also offers tutoring, and said she showed the young people that they can still aspire to a worthwhile career without going to university.

She added: “University isn’t for everyone and young people shouldn’t feel that they will be any less successful by not going.”

James Cranham, farm manager at Laverstoke, used to be a pupil at Testbourne and did work experience at Laverstoke as a teenager.

He studied at Sparsholt College before securing a job at Laverstoke, working his way up to his current position, which sees him manage a team of 11 responsible for 2,500 acres of farmland.

James showed pupils how maths and science are needed to do his job, adding: “It shows that you need these skills.”