Nick Clegg is launching a scheme for Lewisham 16 and 17-year-olds to get help from job centres including a trained coach to help apply for jobs.

The Deputy Prime Minister is today (May 27) announcing for the first time in the UK under 18s will be able to get help from job centres in a bid to tackle youth unemployment.

The pilot scheme is being trialled in Lewisham, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Sheffield for 18 months and will be rolled out nationwide if successful.

Lewisham job centres will open their doors to 16 and 17-year-olds with work coaches providing one-to-one help with CV writing, interview skills and access to training or job matching.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “As our economy gets stronger, we need to make sure that every single young person shares in the recovery and gets help to reach their potential.

“For the first time 16 and 17-year-olds who need help to find work or training will have access to jobcentres where they will get tailored support from a work coach.

“We need to do all we can to help them gain essential skills for work so they can play their part in securing Britain’s long term success, building a stronger economy and fairer society for this generation and the next.”

The new programme was announced by Mr Clegg in a speech in February outlining a package of measures to help young people into work, training or education.