YOUNG people have been taking 'The Plunge' to widen their employment prospects.

Aspire, a programme designed to raise young peoples' awareness of the full range of job opportunities, organised a three day course - called The Plunge.

It gives students the chance to develop their business knowledge, with the help of local entrepreneurs and business experts.

In a pilot project conducted at Redcar and Cleveland College, a team of teaching staff has undergone a training programme to equip them with the skills and knowledge to develop students' business awareness.

Through a series of short workshops, students work alongside experts from business to learn about developing a conception through to strategy development.

Following the pilot, on which officials report directly to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the course could be rolled out to further education colleges.

Pamela Hargreaves, Aspire's young people and partnerships manager, said: "For the students, it's great to get advice from genuine business experts, working with people who do these things day in day out.

"The response from the business community has been fantastic, resulting in a real mix and high standard of volunteers. Likewise, the interest from students has been amazing, with the course overfilling."