CORNISH food and drink manufacturing businesses have, for a second year, teamed up with Duchy College's Nurturing Excellence Project to offer a number of summer internship placements that will boost the employment prospects of local young people in the area by giving them valuable experience in a growing industry. The Nurturing Excellence Project, which is funded through The Prince's Countryside Fund, Industry Partners and Duchy College, aims to raise the profile of the food industry and promote career opportunities within the food and drink sector across Devon and Cornwall. The internships will last between three and six weeks and include an assigned project as part of it. Opportunities include projects at Dairy Crest in Camelford, Ginsters in Callington, Kellys of Cornwall in Bodmin, Westward Labs in Callington, Tamar Foods in Callington, Kensey Foods in Launceston and Duchy Desserts in Launceston. Angie Shepherd, Nurturing Excellence co-ordinator, said: 'This is a wonderful opportunity for young people who are motivated and enthusiastic to gain experience within the food industry and achieve the benefit of working on a focused project alongside professionals within the businesses. 'The hope is that this year will be just as, if not more, successful as last year and that we raise the profile of the food and drink industry.' Last year Hannah Jones, an A-Level student at Callington Community College, was the successful applicant for the internship at Westward Labs, working on a food microbiology project. She said: 'It was an invaluable experience and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Westward. The experience will really benefit me in the future when it comes to applying for jobs and university.' Louise Sheriff, QC microbiologist at Westward Labs, said: 'I supported Hannah during her time here and she was enthusiastic and keen to learn. 'I think her time here changed her perceptions of the industry; she became more aware of the fast paced environment of our food testing lab.' Successful students who participate in the internship and deliver a successful outcome to the business receive a bursary through the Nurturing Excellence Programme of £80 per week to support costs and travel expenses. Head of Duchy College Andrew Counsell said: 'These internships are great for students who are currently leaving school this year or finishing their first year at college or sixth form and want to gain some valuable work experience. 'We have great partnerships with businesses in the food and drink sector and know that by working with these industries that the students will receive high quality information, advice and guidance on food industry opportunities and careers.' The closing date for applications is July 1. To find out more about the internship opportunities or the Nurturing Excellence Project, please call 01209 722123 or email [email protected]">[email protected] For more information about Duchy College Stoke Climsland, call 0845 6050455, visit http://www.duchy.ac.uk">www.duchy.ac.uk or visit the college on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/duchycollege.JaJami">www.facebook.com/duchycollege.JaJami