YOUNGSTERS unable to settle down to a life of work are finding their way on to the jobs ladder thanks to a scheme backed by Ashford and Shepway councils.

The Young Builders' Trust is a charity funded by the European Union and other organisations. Its main aim is to give young people who fail at school or college a second chance to improve their job opportunities.

Ashford council is giving help in kind, rather than cash to help run the scheme in the borough and in Shepway, whose council is also lending support.

Pat Meakins, Ashford council's housing research and development manager, says the scheme, which has now been running for around 18 months, has been a success story.

The Ashford and Shepway scheme is co-ordinated by Ron Shirley, who has been seconded from South Kent College. For more information call Mr Shirley on 07766 257487.