A COLLEGE has launched two specialist centres in a bid to get more young people jobs in business.

The centres at Blackburn College will serve students from across East Lancashire Blackburn College last night officially unveiled its business and IT academies which will see academics working with major companies to help 16 to 19-year-olds go on to universities then high powered jobs in major companies.

The college is believed the be first in the country to have two specialist centres as part of the UK Career Academy programme, which is run by the charity, Career Academy Foundation.

The launch event last night was attended by Ian Clinton, principal of Blackburn College and John May, chief executive of the foundation.

Businesses interested in working with the college, including the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, and Twin Valley Homes, also attended.

Mr Clinton said: "The launch of our two new Career Academies creates a fantastic opportunity for our students.

"We are the first college in the North West and possibly the country to have two academies."

The two academies will be based in the college's new sixth-form and IT centre which is due to open in September.

The building is phase one of the college's multi-million plan to transform the college campus.

Businesses get involved in the academies in a number of ways including: lMentoring a student for 18 months lOffering six weeks' paid work experience in the summer lSending business specialists into the college to give lectures lHosting career visits and seminars at the college.

Nationally, the scheme was set up in 2002 and so far 2,100 A-level students have taken part.

On completion of the programme, 85 per cent have gone to university to study business, accountancy, marketing or law courses compared to a forecast of 40 per cent based on their GCSE grades.

The rest go directly into full-time employment.

Mr Clinton added: "A six-week paid internship in high-profile local companies during the summer at the end of their first year of study will make these students very attractive to employers or universities."