A KEIGHLEY teenager is one of the first young people in the country to finish a demanding employability skills programme, and has earned a distinction in the process.

Omar Khan, an 18-year-old Beckfoot Oakbank School pupil from Knowle Park, finished the Pixl Edge Masters programme, which develops personal attributes essential for success in the workplace.

Mr Khan, who is currently studying for A levels in biology, chemistry and geography, said he was pleased to have achieved the highest possible standard in the two-year course. "I feel very proud of myself," he said.

His father, Tahid Khan, praised his son's commitment, adding: "As parents we need to help and support our children as much as we can to give them the best possible start in life."

Omar Khan, who plans to study biotechnology at either Surrey or Nottingham University, said he first found out about Pixl Edge from his own school.

This programme features five main sections: Organisation, Leadership, Resilience, Communication and Initiative.

Each section offers several different types of activities, with the participating student invited to choose one of these activities to complete the section.

Mr Khan finished the Resilience section by attaining the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, while in Leadership he served as an ambassador for his school by becoming head boy.

Other activities he took part in included volunteering as a youth worker for Keighley's Bangladeshi Community Association and arranging a charity event for flood victims.

A certificate recognising his completion of the Pixl Edge Masters was presented to him at school.

Pixl Edge leaders were so impressed by his overall performance they invited him to address them in a presentation at their offices in London at the end of January.

And Mr Khan has also been asked to speak to an even bigger gathering in London on March 8, where he will talk to a large audience about what attracted him to the programme, what he gained from it and why the scheme deserves to be promoted to even more school pupils.

He said: "I'd never have thought that I'd be able to stand in front of a panel and give a presentation about my Pixl Edge experiences. I've got such a lot out of taking part in this."

Keighley community activist Charlie Bhowmick, responding to news of his qualification, said: "He has worked so hard to achieve his distinction.

"It is outstanding both for Keighley and for the Bengali population here, and the community should be pleased to have someone like him in our society.

"What made me especially proud is that Omar's mum and dad supported him all the way.

"People should follow in his footsteps. I'd like to see this kind of success continuing amongst other young people here, I don't want it to be just a one-off."