JOBLESS youngsters in Pendle could soon be building houses and setting up their own businesses in a £12 million investment package.

One in three of out of work people in the area are between 16 and 24 and the borough is the worst for youth unemployment in the North West.

Now a consortium of private and public groups is to bid for a £12 million investment package to improve jobs and training prospects for young people over the next few years.

Nearly £3 million will be government cash from the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund which, in turn, will attract extra private and other investment.

The money would be used to set up a variety of exciting new ventures including:

A self-build housing scheme where young people can learn construction skills as well as building or renovating homes for themselves and other young people.

Supported placements with local firms with decent pay, training and help with settling into employment, as well as the prospect of a permanent job.

An environmental team to carry out much-needed work in towns and the countryside whilst at the same time providing training and qualifications.

More "Modern Apprenticeships" to give young people the skills needed for the jobs of the future.

Grants and support for young people setting up their own businesses.

Councillor Alan Davies, council leader and deputy chairman of the Pendle Partnership, the consortium behind the SRB bid, said: "The research which the partnership has carried out in the borough shows how worried young people are about their job prospects in Pendle." Partnership chairman Dennis Mendoros added: "This could be the most important initiative which Pendle Partnership has ever undertaken. The young people of Pendle are the community's future. Our aim is to ensure that the future is a bright one."

Pendle Council's corporate policy manager Andrea Staltmeier said: "The feeling is that it's a realistic bid. We've had a lot of encouragement so far from the Government Office North West."

Burnley is bidding for Euro cash to help get people back to work.

The latest applications to the European social fund show Burnley is bidding for nearly £200,000 to support its major job creation plans - the biggest application from any town in Lancashire.

Burnley is hoping to be granted £100,000 to help the long-term unemployed, and £88,000 to get jobs for the young unemployed.

The grants make up 45 per cent of the cost of planned schemes.

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