JOBLESS people over 50 are being encouraged to go back to school.

Hartlepool College of Further Education has launched a scheme to develop their skills. There are 20 places available on the scheme, which will run between April this year and July next year.

It involves participants gaining a range of key skill qualifications, relevant to today's job market.

A number of partners have already come on board to work with the college to provide the best work-based opportunities.

Eleanor Walsh, one of the programme co-ordinators at Hartlepool College, said: "We know that people in this age group can face discrimination in the workplace and feel that their skills and experience are undervalued and overlooked.

"We want to work with them to maximise their potential and to convince employers of their worth."

She said it was not only professional or technical skills that were attractive to employers.

"Anything that people have done in their lives may be usefully applied - from raising a family to following an interesting hobby."

Applications for the scheme, which is free, can come from anyone over 50 years old who is not in full-time employment.

Participants must be prepared to contribute 15 hours per week to the project. Travel expenses will be paid.

For more information, contact student services on (01429) 295000.