LOCAL employers dropped into Budmouth College to hold mock interviews with students.

The business representatives helped year 10 students get into the ways of work by conducting one-on-one interviews.

The interviews were held in the Weymouth school’s Centre of Excellence for Industrial Liaison (CEIL).

Employers including Lloyds Bank and the Dorset Echo acted as interviewers.

Ian Jefferis of Weyprint has been assisting with the interviews for five years.

He said: “It gives the students the opportunity to have a formal interview prior to a real job application.

“It’s a very valuable lesson of opportunity.

“To have a formal interview and have feedback without having the pressure of getting the job and without having competition helps.

“I relish the opportunity to help the students. It’s an excellent idea. It’s always good to meet young individuals.”

Students were given feedback after their interview and told of techniques and body language to avoid for next time.

Employers also gave career advice to students and answered any questions.

Marcel Ciantar, director of the CEIL, said each student was given a day to prepare for the interviews.

He said: “They don’t just turn up, they have a day to prepare for it and do their research.

“We want to give them a taste of what a proper interview is like.

“The students have a lot of support through years 10 and 11 with employability.

“People are seeing the results of what we are doing.”