A scheme giving unemployed people the chance to earn a wage, learn valuable skills and gain experience has been launched.

The North Yorkshire Works! scheme has been created by North Yorkshire County Council's employment training services and will run until the end of next year. Unemployed people aged 18 or over could qualify for a place on the programme.

The course will operate on a 16-week cycle, with teams of eight people being taken at a time. Over the next 18 months, the groups of trainees accepted into the scheme will work with a supervisor and project manager, gaining valuable skills.

They will be involved in a variety of projects to enhance local communities, including grounds maintenance work, clearing and cutting back undergrowth on footpaths and undertaking work for the National Trust.

Debbie Potter-Brown, employment training services manager, said the programme will help enhance the employability of 40 people, while directly benefiting communities and countryside throughout the county.

She said: "The scheme is designed to help unemployed people that little bit more.

"Working for the county council, they will be ideally placed to obtain the inside line on both current and future vacancies."

The first group of trainees will soon start working on the scheme, spending 30 hours a week, from Monday to Thursday, on their tasks. They will be employed by the county council and receive a wage and travel expenses.

The scheme will also offer successful applicants additional training, including driving lessons and learning to use tools.

Councillor John Dennis, the council's executive member with responsibility for employment training services, said: "North Yorkshire Works! represents an excellent opportunity for unemployed people to become part of the county council. They will be able to continue updating their skills while carrying out a valuable service to the community."