WHEN Kieron Betteridge puts on his protective goggles and overalls he forgets he's still a schoolboy.

Every week the 16-year-old from Millbrook Community School spends a morning at work getting hands-on engineering experience.

Stepping inside the Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA) centre on the Millbrook Trading Estate is the highlight of his school week.

"I love it. It's really hands-on stuff. It's definitely better than lessons. This is more outgoing," said Kieron, as he assembled an electrical circuit to light a bulb.

He's just one of ten teenagers from the school taking part in the pioneering project which is now in its second year.

Year 10 and Year 11 pupils both spend ten weeks working on a range of projects using lathes, milling machines, welding equipment and other engineering equipment.

Richard Heighington, SETA chief executive said the project took shape after Millbrook Community School approached him about a group of pupils who were interested in engineering, but disenchanted with the traditional school timetable.

"This is the first group we have had. It was an experiment but it seems to have worked very well.

"About one or two people have fallen off the programme but there are now ten here."

The aim was to make the youngsters more motivated and improve their attendance at school.

"It helps them to see how what they learn can be applied in a real setting. If they are asked to calculate a diameter it is for a real project and gives them an insight into the world of work."

Other schemes being run by SETA, which currently oversees training for 200 engineering apprentices, include an Increased Flexibility Project for pupils for other schools to get engineering experience.

This is arranged via Totton College and involves pupils from Houndsdown School, Houndsdown; Testwood School, Totton; Applemore College and Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu.

The training association is also one of just 38 partnerships nationwide involved in the government's new Young Apprentice Scheme for 14 to 16-year-olds.

A group of 12 pupils from Wildern School, Hedge End; Crestwood Community School, Eastleigh; Cantell School and Woodlands School, both in Southampton spend half a morning at the SETA centre as well as up to two days a week in apprentice related training with a local employer.

For those coming in to train for apprenticeships in mechanical, fabrication, electrical, welding, electronics and maintenance engineering at the age of 16, the minimum entry requirement is four GCSEs including maths and English.

Mr Heighington said: "In the past the normal route might have been GCSE, A-level and university, and people would be seen to drop out of it and go into vocational courses.

"Schools are increasingly becoming aware that apprenticeships are a valid option, particularly with the young apprenticeship scheme."