Science and technology will be promoted in Aberdeen schools to help prepare more young people for careers in the oil and gas industry.
Education chiefs at the city council have a new policy for raising teaching and learning standards.
The move is designed to address a drop in the numbers of pupils studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at secondary school level.
A report to the local authority’s education, culture and sport committee states that Aberdeen needs more people entering jobs in the field to help meet an ongoing demand for staff in the energy sector.
Projections show that as many as 23,000 new employees will be required in the Scottish oil and gas industry in the next five years.
In her report, lead officer Lynn Scanlon said: “A need has been identified to increase the uptake of science in primary schools and to improve the confidence of teachers in delivery of STEM subjects.”
She argues this has a knock-on effect.
“There has been a downturn in numbers of pupils studying STEM subjects at secondary level which has resulted in a decline in post-school destinations within STEM subject careers.”
The new strategy will introduce awards for high attainment in science and technology, as well as promotions, events and competition opportunities.
A key factor will be additional training for staff to produce “highly motivated and confident” science teachers and a “culture of ambition and achievement” in the field.
There will also be a science co-ordinator based at every primary school in the city.
Among the aims will be for a 3% increase across the city of attainment at higher and advanced higher level.
Members of the education, culture and sport committee will be asked to approve the new policy at a meeting on Thursday.