Young people who missed out on a further education place in September are being given a second chance in the New Year.

As part of its ongoing commitment to reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), MidKent College has announced the launch of its January Start campaign for 2009.

The scheme hopes to improve prospects for young people in Maidstone and Medway by allowing them to join new courses at the college throughout January and February 2009.

Lindsey Morgan, the college’s 14-19 manager, said:“The scheme forms part of our commitment to providing flexible teaching and learning to the communities that we serve.

“Life doesn’t always fit around the traditional academic year.

"One young person may have started a different course in September only to discover that it wasn’t right for them; another may have left school to start what they thought was a secure job, only to find that work was no longer available.

"Our January Start campaign gives these young people a second chance, and prevents them from having to wait until next September to join the College.”

The launch of the campaign will be marked with two information and enrolment sessions hosted by Connexions Kent and Medway, which will provide potential learners with an opportunity to find out more about courses at the college.

The first will be held at Medway Youth Trust’s Connexions Access Point, New Road, Chatham, on tomorrow from 10am to 2pm.

The second will be held at Maidstone Connexions Access Point, Earl Street, Maidstone, on Wednesday, from 3pm to 6pm.