A COUNCIL scheme to get unemployed youngsters into work by giving them apprenticeships and internships starts next month.

Bromley Council has invested £500,000 in the project which will pay for 198 18-to-24-year-olds to have an internship or apprenticeship over the next three years.

Internships will be paid for six months with the aim of giving young people the experience and skills they need to launch their careers.

The apprenticeships will combine hands on training at work with a qualification at Bromley College and will last for one year.

Portfolio holder for resources Councillor Graham Arthur said: "We have recognised the long lasting negative effects early experiences of unemployment can have on a generation of young people and we are keen to help them to achieve a positive start to in their working life, with support to find sustainable employment opportunities.”