AN East Lancashire charitable organisation has secured one fifth of the places on a government scheme to help young people into work.

Twenty young people across Lancashire will be provided with opportunities and support to get onto the employment ladder.

Burnley's The Calico Group has been awarded 20 out of the 100 national placements as part of the National Citizen Service’s UK Year of Service.

As a partner of the scheme, The Calico Group is offering a range of nine-month paid work experience placements across its operation to 20 individuals aged 18 to 24 who need support in the area.

Youth unemployment in some areas of the North West is now twice as high as the national average according to Office for National Statistics.

Calico Enterprise will be leading on the scheme on behalf of The Calico Group and promoting jobs across a range of sectors including housing, construction, social care and training.

Sam Howarth, head of enterprise at The Calico Group said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a range of great opportunities to young people across Lancashire.

“Young people are critical to the success of any business and deserve the opportunity and support to embrace opportunities like these.

“So far, the UK Year of Service programme has supported over 300 young adults and engaged with more than 80 employers.”

Calico Enterprise has a proven track record of providing youth employment services across the North-West having supported 287 apprentices as part of the Constructing the Future Shared Apprenticeship scheme.

Calico Enterprise is leading on a Burnley Connected Futures Partnership which has gained government involvement to improve employment opportunities for young people in the town and has also supported Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction in integrating apprenticeships into their business, with 25 per cent of their workforce now being apprentices.