A SKIPTON-based government training scheme established 12 weeks ago is already putting local teenagers on the path to success.

New initiative e2e, located in Victoria Square, helps young people in Craven aged between 16 and 18 to build their confidence, improve on basic and key skills and boost their chance of gaining employment by coaching them on interview skills.

To date the programme has pointed eight people in the right direction to a college place or job.

Learning co-ordinator Ken Birch explained: "Kids leave school at 16. Some go to college, some go on to A-levels. There's always a marginal group of kids that don't know what they want to do or have been excluded for various reasons.

"They have in the past fallen into this void and what this initiative has set out to do is help this particular age group get back to college or get into a job."

The project currently has 12 people on its books with each person joining up for varying reasons, be it dyslexia, to gain some qualifications or because they have dropped out of a college course.

He added: "The important thing is this is not for people to think that have failed. We have got some very bright kids in here."

The teenagers spend between 16 and 30 hours on the programme and receive £40 a week plus transport costs.

Anyone who is interested in joining the project or finding out more about e2e can drop into the centre in Victoria Square or call 01756 700559.