A MASSIVE cash grant of more than £92,000 to help young people in Southampton prepare for the world of work has been approved by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board.

The money will be spent to help young people develop skills needed to make a successful transition from secondary school on to further education or employment.

A mentoring programme will be set up to provide pupils from Year 10 and 11 with positive role models from industry and higher education.

Mentors will be on hand to advise and support the teenagers, to help improve self-confidence, motivation, organisation and communication skills.

Angela Wright from Solent Skills Quest - the body which will be running the scheme - said: "We have found that mentoring is an extremely positive rewarding experience for both students and their mentors.

"Not only can the extra support that students receive boost their self-confidence but we have evidence that the process, which helps them focus and develop the right skills, can actually help them achieve a better GCSE grade.

"In addition, mentors have said that not only do they enjoy being able to help a young person to develop, but that the experience is a very useful addition for a CV and can actually help them to develop professionally."

In addition, a young entrepreneurs scheme will also be established in local secondary schools to enable pupils to become more enterprising by developing their own ideas and then managing their own business.