MEMBERS of Pendle's young Asian community have been invited to a public meeting to kickstart a jobs campaign in the area.

The event, to be held on Wednesday, October 30, at 6pm in Nelson's Civic Theatre, aims to reduce barriers faced by young Asian people who want a job.

It has been organised by Pendle Partnership after research revealed unemployment rates amongst 16 to 24-year-olds in the area were up to five times higher than the national average.

Pendle Partnership Chairman Dennis Mendoros said: "Pendle Partnership is committed to extensive consultation with the ethnic minority community.

"By carrying out the research and applying its findings to future projects we have shown our desire work with the Asian heritage community to reduce youth unemployment.

"When we began this research we held several public meeting with the ethnic minority community and undertook to report back to them on how the research had been implemented. "

The research was carried out over 18 months by the former East Lancashire Careers Service.

'Action Research' found that the main barriers to young Asians finding work were:

Lack of effective information in the Asian community leading to a poor take up of mainstream advice services.

Lack of work experience opportunities.

Cultural perceptions that vocational qualifications and training are inferior and less desirable than A-levels, leading to fewer 16-17 year-olds entering employment with training.

Unrealistic parental aspirations leading to higher drop-out rates from further and higher education.