A SCHEME for youngsters has taken a Bacup teenager a step closer to her dream job.

Stacy Dickson, of Pennine Road, Bacup, was the 2,000th young person to join the Learning Agreement Pilot.

The scheme has helped 2,000 16 and 17-year-olds in Lancashire who were outside learning, employment or training, leaving them lacking in confidence and qualifications.

After leaving school with 10 GCSEs, Stacy decided she wanted to get straight into employment and start her experience in the world of work.

While working as a waitress at her local pub, she decided she would like to work in the hospitality industry.

After being contacted by the Learning Agreement Pilot team, Stacy's attention was drawn to some of the training options available to her on the scheme and she subsequently signed up to complete the Level 1 certificate in Technical Training.

She is now due to start her Level Two NVQ in Customer Service.

She said: "I have really enjoyed the hands-on approach, teamed with the support of someone being there and guiding me along the way. I feel I have progressed really well.

"The scheme has taken me a step closer to my dream of one day owning a pub of my own."

The £8.8million pilot offers mentoring, professional support, and guidance in the workplace.