A YOUNG Bishop Auckland man is one of the first in the country to get a job through a national initiative aimed at getting young people back into education and work.

James Ross, 18, from Bishop Auckland, was offered a job only a week after starting on the Entry 2 Employment (E2E) programme with Bishop Auckland-based training provider S&D Training.

Before the course, James was a factory worker with few career prospects. Now he is working as a painter and decorator with Redfern Building Services in Bishop Auckland.

He has also joined a modern apprenticeship programme in painting and decorating.

E2E is a learning programme, devised by the Learning and Skills Council, which helps young people to prepare for progression to employment.

It is being made available to youngsters aged 16 to 18 who are not participating in any form of post-16 learning.

The programme looks at basic and key skills, and social and vocational development.

Young learners are taught in a range of settings, including work placements, to give them an insight into the world of work.

The E2E programme also aims to build their motivation and confidence.

Andrea Wiseman, programme manager at the Learning and Skills Council County Durham, said: "Young people can be referred to E2E for a variety of reasons.

"They may have dropped out of school at an early age, or have personal or social issues. Or they might just not know what they want to do with their lives.

"People on the programme get support with any numeracy or literacy problems that might be preventing them getting work, and they are given advice on how to look for a job and encouraged to interact with others.

"James is a perfect example of how someone can benefit from E2E and we are delighted that he has now got his dream job."

James said: "I love my job now and I feel I have been given another chance in life and it is a chance I do not intend to waste."

The Learning and Skills Council County Durham has set a target of having 1,000 people working on the Entry 2 Employment programme by the end of the year.