Teenagers have rarely faced such a tough time starting out on a career – but hundreds were yesterday reassured they were not on the scrap heap.

Careers service Connexions invited 16 to 19-year-olds to an event at the Walkers Stadium where they had the chance to find out about careers and training courses.

Bill Edwards, of Connexions Leicester Shire, said there were thousands of teenagers in the county who were struggling to get on the career ladder.

He said: "They are usually anxious or concerned, especially if they've been disappointed with their exam results, but it's not a case of them being on the scrap heap.

"It's more difficult at the moment because of the economic situation, but we want to make sure they all get a training or college place."

Teenagers at the event were given the chance to speak to representatives of 50 organisations and find out more about opportunities to pursue a career in areas such as beauty, construction and retail.

Fern Bushell, 16, from Fleckney, has just finished her GCSEs and decided not to continue at school.

She said: "It's daunting because it can be very difficult to find a job. "Ideally I'm looking for an apprenticeship in beauty therapy. I don't want to be stuck doing nothing.

"A lot of people won't take you now unless you have some experience and for people of our age that's impossible.

"There are so many people out there with qualifications and a lot of people have lost their jobs, so for someone of my age it can be tough."

For Dean Graham trying to find work has almost become a full-time job. The 18-year-old was kicked out of school just a couple of months after starting year 11. With no qualifications to his name he decided to take a course in motor mechanics but he has found getting a job, or even an apprenticeship, an almost impossible task.

Dean said: "It's quite hard to get started. I've obviously done a few rubbish jobs – but it's not what I want to do properly. I was kicked out of school and didn't get any GCSEs at all so that's going to count against me.

"I would like to work with bikes but no-one ever really gives you a chance when you're in my position. I did a course after I left school but I'm finding things tricky.

"I've been quite encouraged by this though, as there are some courses and apprenticeships.

"There are a lot of people my age who are going to find it hard to get a job because so many people out there have a lot of qualifications."

Jake Lee, 17, of Stoughton, has just finished a Level Two motorsport mechanics course at Leicester College but has found it difficult to find an apprenticeship.

He said: "There are not many options out there. I'm going to garages and asking – but many of them are saying they don't have the time or money to take people on.

"I've been working on cars since I was a kid and it's what I want to do, but if finding work is still this hard then I might be forced to do something I don't really want to do just so I can earn some money.

"I'm hoping some of the places here will be able to help."

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