BAKERY giant Ken McMeikan has been raising young people's aspirations with his rags to riches tale of success.

 

The CEO of Greggs told Year 9 and 10 pupils at Emmanuel College, Gateshead, of his humble beginnings, which often saw his family go without.

 

Motivated by hunger for business, he grew Greggs to its current position of running 1,400 shops nationally with plans for 600 more and ambitions overseas.

 

"Mam used to make us pancakes because they didn't take many ingredients to fill us up," he said at the opening of a special industry day at the College.

 

"She also used to tell me that I could do anything I wanted to do and to have courage."

Mr McMeikan was key speaker at the annual event that exposes 600 students to the world of work.

 

MD of design house Orangebus Julian Leighton also spoke to students about his life and work experiences.

 

Experts from a range of industries and careers, ranging from accountancy, law and media to engineering, health and armed forces, held a series of workshops with students receiving an insight into the professional world.

 

Emmanuel College is sponsored by business leader Sir Peter Vardy's Emmanuel Schools Foundation.

 

Principal Jonathan Winch said: "This is real education which sets young people's imaginations on fire, inspiring them into a particular career.

 

"Who knows, in a few years, they could be succeeding in careers that can be traced back to this day when the seeds were first sown. I'd like to pass on a huge thank you to the many figures of business and industry who gave their time to pass on their experience to our students."

 

Year 9 student Nicola Hall, 14, took part in a media workshop as part of a team that had to produce a newsletter on the event by the end of the day. She also won a prize for her suggestion of a new business helping to promote artists.

 

She said: "I love the idea of an industry day. It has given me an insight into what journalism is really like, working under pressure to deadlines.

 

"It has certainly inspired me to look closer at the career which is much more exciting than I thought it would be.

"Everyone has really enjoyed the day looking at a host of businesses. When you are at school you learn the facts but this helps you apply them."