UNEMPLOYED young people in Wiltshire are being helped into work through an initiative involving the county’s road maintenance contractor Balfour Beatty and the Prince’s Trust.

Nine people aged 16-25, put forward by the trust, will gain vocational skills and experience through practical training on sites around the county.

The programme will lead to a number of opportunities to join the Balfour Beatty apprenticeship scheme. The trust will offer up to six months’ support to individuals to help them find full-time work.

Wiltshire Council’s highways portfolio holder Philip Whitehead said: “We are keen to encourage work experience and apprenticeships, and placed a requirement on Balfour Beatty to do this as an integral part of their service delivery for Wiltshire.

“We are pleased that this is now coming to fruition with the first group of young people now starting their work experience and I’m sure it will be very beneficial for their future development.”

A trust spokesman said: “In Wiltshire we are in contact with a large number of young people who are desperate to get into work, but that first step can be such an obstacle.

“All those taking part are getting a huge amount out of this opportunity.”