A TRAINEESHIP scheme for young people has launched on Portland.

Dorchester firm Whitehead-Ross Education and Consulting launched the scheme in Weymouth last month - aimed at people aged between 19 to 24 years old.

As well as taking place in Hope House next to St John's Church in Weymouth, the education scheme is now being extended at Portland Community Centre, in Three Yards Close.

A spokeswoman from the traineeship scheme said: "We now have a reserved room at the Portland Community Centre, which we'll use as a base.

"But we expect the trainees to spend very little time in the classroom. They will be mainly field based with someone supporting them."

Frances Vincent, teaching assistant at Whitehead-Ross, said: "Our aim is to help those who are out of work, education and training to gain basic skills to get them into employment.

Trainees will spend three days a week in the centre with two days per week on a work placement with a local employer.

To be eligible a trainee's highest existing qualifications must be at Level 3 or below.

Benefits to the employer include £1,000 per trainee over 12 weeks as well as extra support within your workforce, and corporate social responsibility in providing work experience.

Whitehead-Ross Education and Consulting is an education and social welfare organisation.

For more info, contact: 01305 261626 or email: dorsetskills@wrecltd.co.uk.