THOUSANDS fewer North teenagers are on the scrapheap after a pioneering scheme to get them into jobs or college, according to new figures.

Connexions, a £450m Government project launched in 2001, offers detailed advice and guidance to young people to ease their transition into adult life.

Personal advisors offer round-the-clock advice and practical help with choosing subjects at school, future career options and personal or family problems.

Now Department for Education figures show the number of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training dropped by 4,237 in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The biggest fall was in Tyne and Wear, from 6,308 in 2002, to 4,141 last year - a decline of 2,167.

There were also sharp reductions in Tees Valley (from 3,296 to 2,336 -960), County Durham (2,660 to 1,815 -845) and York and North Yorkshire (1,399 to 1,134 -265).

The figures were released as a report by parliament's spending watchdog praised Connexions for making significant progress in cutting the number of young people on the scrapheap.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said the initiative was on course to reduce the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training by ten per cent by November.

However, the NAO did raise concerns about a shortage of personal advisors, due to a funding shortages, and a lack of appropriate training.

Last September, the proportions of fully trained advisors were: York and North Yorkshire (nine per cent), Tyne and Wear (19), Tees Valley (21) and County Durham (34).

The report concluded: "The costs of tackling this issue are huge, both to society and to the individuals affected.

"Connexions is providing valuable services to help young people make important life decisions, but more can be done to ensure that all young people the support they need."