A ground-breaking initiative to raise young people's aspirations in the Forest of Dean is being launched by the Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) later this month.

More than 20 companies and organisations have joined as partners for the Inspiring the Forest event aimed at increasing the career aspirations for young people in the Forest of Dean.

Over 750 Year 10 students from five secondary schools in the Forest will be attending the event on Friday, June 30, at Gloucestershire College in Cinderford.

Inspiring the Forest is organised by the FEP, whose chair Neill Ricketts said: "Our Inspiring the Forest project for young people is one of the best activities in which we have been involved as there are clear outcomes for all involved.

"It is our responsibility to provide every opportunity to motivate, inspire and supercharge our young people to provide the skills and enthusiasm needed to power the Forest of Dean in the future.

"This is a win, win for all involved and provides a great showcase for our partner companies and the employment roles on our doorstep.

"Everybody should be proud of what we are trying to achieve here."

Transport Minister Mark Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean, will be attending the 9am-3pm event.

Suntory are one of the local firms with a stand at the event and hoping to interest young people in a career with them.

Suntory's senior business partner Amy Knight said: "The Inspiring the Forest event allows us to connect with our next generation of employees and inspire them around the opportunities available within a food and drink manufacturing business."

Jane Barton, the resources partner at Newspace in Lydney, added: "Young people are our pioneers of the future. It is in our interest to actively support them by raising awareness of jobs and skillsets available in the local community and encouraging achievement of their potential.

"The prospect of transitioning from education to work can be daunting and prior engagement with employers may be pivotal in enabling self-confidence and informed career choices.

"The Inspiring the Forest initiative embraces this philosophy and is a catalyst to bring employers and schools together. It is a fantastic demonstration of collaboration in action and a rewarding experience for our staff. Newspace is proud to support it."

Warren Thomas, chief executive of GET-Gloucester Engineering Training, said: We are thrilled to be working in the Forest of Dean, promoting engineering and inspiring the future, assisting in the regeneration of this community."

The schools taking part are: Five Acres High School; Dene Magna School; Newent Community School; Forest High School; Wyedean School and Sixth Form Centre.

The BBC Community Careers Team will be part of a communications and media zone on the day with Dean Radio.

There will also be six other careers zones to interest students: Manufacturing and engineering; digital and cyber; creative industries; hospitality and tourism; health and wellbeing; education and vocational training.

The full list of partners taking part is: Newspace, Suntory, Versarien, BBC Early Careers team, Dean Radio, Civil Service, Raytheon, Cyber Security Associates, Gloscol Digital & Cyber Apprenticeships, CACI IIG, Calico Interiors, Speech House Hotel, Dean Heritage Centre, Visit Dean Wye, David Broadbent Photography, NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College, Hartpury University & Hartpury College, Gloucester Engineering Training, AccXel Construction Centre, and GFirst LEP.