Sports car maker Aston Martin and outsourcing and services firm Serco are among firms to commit to taking part in the Inspiring the Future initiative organised by the Education and Employers Taskforce.

The auto maker is to embark on a programme of special events including a visit to William Morris Sixth Form in West London to talk about working in the industry and apprenticeship opportunities.

Serco staff will from this month visit schools across the country to share their experiences of work and help get young people thinking about their futures.

Nick Chambers, director of the Education and Employers Taskforce charity, says that over half of state secondary schools have signed up to take part in Inspiring the Future in the first six months of operation.