£1.5 million project to help youth into work in Shropshire and Telford

The money will be spent on setting up projects to support 15 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment, or training.

It comes after research showed that 10 per cent of struggling young adults are at higher risk of falling into long-term joblessness, ill health or criminality.

The investment has come from the European Union's European Social Fund, which is contributing £1,518,750 to the Landau charity’s In2 scheme.

It will cover both the Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire council areas.

Landau chief executive, Sonia Roberts, said she was excited about the In2 programme.

She said: “This is a great opportunity to support the young people in our area. Young people should be the future but hundreds are at risk.

“We will be working in partnership with schools, local authorities, colleges, the NHS and employers as we want this funding to reach the most disadvantaged.”

The In2 programme has been created by Landau to re-engage young people and help improve their life chances after the age of 15.

Graham Wynn, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, said it was vital that young people were given the opportunity to develop their skills as fully as possible.

He said: “To build a thriving, prosperous economy across the Marches we need to make sure that all our youngsters have access to training and development programmes which equip them with the skills they need. This In2 programme will play an important role in doing that.”

The charity has been running since 1995 and helps a range of people, including people with learning and physical disabilities, people with mental health problems, the long-term unemployed and young people.

ESF funds help local areas stimulate economic development by investing in projects which support innovation, businesses, skills and job creation.

A further £682,542 has been designated for Herefordshire.