HUNDREDS of people were inspired by one of the flagship events of this year's Plymouth Enterprise Week on Wednesday.

The INSPIRE Skills Festival at Plymouth Albion's Devonport base was attended by hundreds of business leaders, workers and schoolchildren.

Young people from a range of city secondary schools went along to see what opportunities are out there in business – and those already in business were able to network.

The day was also used to champion how important Plymouth Enterprise Week has become on the city's business calendar.

Elaine Budd, Plymouth's spokesperson for Enterprise Week, said: "INSPIRE was fantastic. There was a real buzz about the place.

"It wasn't about preaching at people. It was about inspiring people to have belief and confidence in business."

Andrew Ashley, who also helped organise the event, said: "It was a good day which brought businesses together with young people and hopefully gave them a better idea of what is on offer in Plymouth after school."

INSPIRE included a 'skills village', which provided young people aged 14 to 16 with an interactive experience of working within key sectors in the city, such as construction.

About 50 stands were set up around Albion to give young people advice on careers – and to give older people a forum for their businesses.

Lee Robson Spence, 19, founder of the city's Channel-3 T-shirt company said: "It was a hectic day but an excellent event with plenty of opportunities for networking – and for meeting the young people."

Dee West, project co-ordinator of Devon Care Ambassadors, set up a stall at the event. She said: "Last year was our first event and I think this year was even better.

"INSPIRE is a great way to talk to the younger age groups about what opportunities are out there – and to talk to businesses about that too."

Rob Tarr, the Great British Wheelchair Rugby team's development coach, gave a keynote speech on motivation at the event. He said: "The children are the future of business so it was great to get to speak to them at the INSPIRE event.

"A car crash when I was 16 left me with spinal injuries but I have since gone on to captain the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team.

"I have become a motivational speaker and the INSPIRE event was a great way for me to speak on motivation to both children and businesses."

The Barbican Theatre put on a show during INSPIRE. Actors from the theatre played a piece geared towards motivation and avoiding negativity. Mark Laville, director, said: "We added something different to the event, which I think is important.

"It was a great event and we were pleased to be involved. We, as performers, work in the same way as a business does."

The event was part of Plymouth Enterprise Week. The five-day event, which was organised to champion business in the city as part of National Enterprise Week, has taken place throughout this week and ends today .

Highlights have included the INSPIRE event, as well as The Herald's Youth Awards last night and Make Your Mark Challenges at both City College Plymouth and UCP Marjon.