YOUNGSTERS who left school with no qualifications are being given the chance to nurse their career prospects back to health thanks to a pioneering education scheme.

The Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care Trust is offering 12 people a one-year opportunity to learn all about what it means to work in a busy NHS hospital. And the Trust is also offering two years' training to 16 to 18-year-olds who have exam passes.

When they are over, both courses present the opportunity of a job and of further training.

Jayne Hamer, vocational projects assistant, said: "It's a great chance for people to get quality training in the NHS in all the different varieties or work that hospitals do."

And Safiyya Sidat, 17, of Essex Close, Blackburn, who is on the two-year course at Queen's Park Hospital, added: "It's excellent... I've been everywhere from the maternity unit to mental health -- and I've decided it's mental health that I eventually want to do.

"It can be really rewarding."

Meanwhile, Denise Kirkham, also 17, of Newbank Road, Blackburn, who is on the same programme, added: "I'm really enjoying it. You get to work in all the departments and I've decided I definitely want to work as a nurse eventually."

Jayne explained that the brand-new one-year programme for people aged 19 and over would start on December 3 and the Trust was looking for applicants to work and learn at either Queen's Park, Blackburn Royal or Accrington Victoria.

"No qualifications are needed -- we're just looking for people with a real interest in healthcare who are willing to learn." she said.

The newcomers will be paid £8,000 a year initially and receive training to NVQ Level Two in Care and Key Skills, covering health care support, IT communications, numeracy and working with others.

"We're looking for people who treat everyone with dignity and respect. That's what patients need." said Jayne.