A CHARITY that aims to regenerate former mining communities in South Yorkshire, has announced funding towards apprenticeships and job opportunities.

As the number of youths out of work spirals to 1.04 million, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s (CRT) National Apprenticeship Programme will invest £20,000 in Rotherham to create 20 apprenticeships, that will be delivered by Rotherham College of Arts and Technology.

The boost brings the number of opportunities provided to young people in coalfield areas by the programme to 550 and investment by the CRT to more than £1.1m.

This second phase of the National Apprenticeship Programme will focus on young people aged between 16 and 25 who are more than twice as likely to be out of work than older people.

But in recognition of the growing number of young people not in education, employment or training, more than 70 per cent of the apprenticeships will be created for young people aged 16 to 18.

Trust chief executive officer Gary Ellis said: “This programme will be a real boost for young people struggling to find work. Former coalfield communities have been badly hit by the economic downturn and this has compounded the problems already experienced by young people.

“This programme is a direct response to help young people into work and create a strong platform for their future aspirations.”

The apprenticeships will run for 12 months, in a wide variety of industries and occupations and will run for a minimum of 12 months.

For more information about the Coalfields Regeneration Trust visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk.

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A NEW scheme has been unveiled to help encourage more entrepreneurs in Barnsley.

The news comes as the town is highlighted as one of the worst in the country for business start-ups, with half as many new businesses as places like Brighton and Aberdeen.

The town is also in the bottom ten for the number of businesses that exist per head of population.

SmartStart, which will be free, will run from April 1 at Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC). It will be part of the second phase of Enterprising Barnsley, a European-funded business support programme that has helped create or protect more than 1,000 jobs in its first phase.

Tim Milburn, Chief Executive of BBIC, said: “What we want is for people to come along for a chat to see if we can help them with a business idea. If we can help, then we will.”

Under SmartStart, potential entrepreneurs will be given one-to-one advice by a business coach and invited to a series of workshops covering everything from sales and marketing to leadership and management.

Genesis is aimed at fledgling businesses and includes office accommodation, intensive business support and business development workshops.

Anyone who thinks they could benefit from support from SmartStart or Genesis, can enquire via the new website www.businessstartsatbbic.co.uk

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