A training firm has hit back at claims that there is a need for "proper training" for young people.

East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council say an increasing number of under 25-year-olds are using it's XTEND scheme.

ELTEC was responding to Blackburn councillor Simon Danczuk.

After a meeting with shadow Chancellor Gordon Brown about youth unemployment, he said: "We need proper training for young people, such as apprenticeships and long-term training which is paid properly."

ELTEC says that although further education is still the most popular option for school-leavers, its figures show a significant increase in those opting for its jobs and training programmes.

Training and development director Andy Fawcett said: "For Coun Danczuk to call for the re-introduction of apprenticeships seems a little bit unusual in view of the national and local publicity gained for the highly successful Modern Apprenticeships initiative.

"In East Lancashire alone, we are well on our way to having 1,000 young people employed with local organisations, working towards Level 3 NVQs."

Ray Howard, chief executive of East Lancashire Careers Services added: "To call these people a 'lost generation' seems to overlook the very real and increasingly successful efforts of teachers, employers, training providers and support agencies in East Lancashire."

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