The bosses of tomorrow showed off their business skills at the Park Inn in North Stifford.

Thurrock’s Next Top Boss provides the borough’s young people with the chance to work with employers on real business challenges, learn about a range of career opportunities and employment skills.

On Thursday, more than 90 14 to 18-year-olds proved the sky was the limit as the climbed the ladder of success for the 2014/15 Next Top Boss – made in Thurrock – awards evening.

Youngsters from nine of the borough’s schools and colleges were at the event, showing off how they had completed two challenges - the Green Solution Business Challenge set by Essex and Suffolk Water and a business challenge set by the employer who was working with them.

Thurrock Council chief executive, Graham Farrant, who officially welcomed people to the event, said: “This is the fifth annual Next Top Boss presentation I have attended and the standard of the work is higher than ever.

“I am grateful for the very active participation of Thurrock's businesses who give their time and expertise readily to the benefit of local young people.

“Thurrock has a tremendous agenda for growth, and initiatives like this will help Thurrock's young people access the professional and managerial jobs that will be created in the borough over the coming years.”

The winner of the Green Solution Business Challenge was Gable Hall (who had been working with Essex and Suffolk Water), while The Ockendon Academy Studio School secured the Business Challenge prize working with Impulse Leisure.

The overall runner up was The Gateway Academy.

The aim of the project is to provide young people with the skills employers want while gaining experiences that are not in any textbook.

It is also a chance for young people to show the borough’s employers what they can do.

As well as developing the talent of local young people Next Top Boss also helps local business to recruit locally; promotes young people’s self-confidence, aspiration and ambition; supports them to become work- and business-ready; support and promote local businesses; and raise the profile of Thurrock as an innovative and progressive place to invest, and area of growth, development, investment and opportunity.