Bradford firms are missing out on the services of some of the region's brightest young people, according to a key player in the region.

Barbara Gomersall, regional director of the Year in Industry, is working with a small team which places some of Yorkshire and Humberside's highest A-level achievers in gap year jobs before going on to university.

And she made a plea for firms from the district - and throughout West Yorkshire - to make the most of the opportunity.

She said: "One result is that these students consistently outperform those who have not had a gap year and many of them choose careers in industry as a result of their experience - often in the industry or company where they spent their year.

"The overall quality of the work that they produce for companies is outstanding. It really is a win-win for both student and company."

The Year in Industry is a national scheme, endorsed by the Royal Academy of Engineering and supported by the Engineering Employers Federation.

The organisation has a regional office at the University of Sheffield and a subsidiary office in Leeds.

"Despite our Yorkshire roots, we find that companies in other regions are creaming off some of the brightest young students.

"We need more companies to come forward to benefit from local talent - Bradford and West Yorkshire companies can ill afford a brain drain if they are to succeed," said Mrs Gomersall.

Recruitment of students sitting their A-levels this year is just getting under way.

Students will be on their way towards gaining engineering, IT or business studies degrees, and will spend a year in companies carrying out projects which might not otherwise be undertaken either through lack of expertise or time among permanent staff.

"The high proportion of companies taking students year on year shows just how valued their skills and enthusiasm are," added Mrs Gomersall. "And it is time for West Yorkshire to make up ground on surrounding areas."

Companies wishing to learn more about the scheme can contact Barbara Gomersall on 0114 222 0936.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.