Year 9 pupils are being encouraged to consider a career in health and social care as part of a pilot scheme.

Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni held the first in a series of events on Wednesday as part of a pilot project led by Anglesey Council.

Events will held across all five of the island's secondary schools before the end of the year, designed to give students an insight into the sector, before they consider their options at the end of year 9.

Fôn Roberts, the council's social services director, said: "The opportunity that this project gives us to promote future career opportunities to local young people in such an important sector is invaluable."

"Across Wales, the health and social care sector has found recruitment challenging. Here on Anglesey, we are always looking at innovative ways to increase the number of people committing to such a rewarding career within the sector, this project is another example of this."

The career events will allow pupils to learn about different roles and career paths by offering practical activities and short talks to complement theoretical knowledge and dispel myths.

Pupils will be able to meet and ask questions directly to staff currently working within social services, health and leisure and learn about their different roles.

The project - the first of its kind in Wales - is being run in co-operation with the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership, WeCare Wales and the North Wales Workforce Board.

Councillor Alun Roberts, who holds the adult services portfolio, added: "As is outlined in our council plan (2023 to 2028), innovative projects like this helps support our vision of creating an Anglesey that is healthy and prosperous where people can thrive."

"A career within the health and social care can be incredibly rewarding. There are several career pathways into the sector - becoming care professionals, social workers, occupational therapists, and management."

"This project will raise awareness of these opportunities to year 9 pupils across the island."