A PIONEERING project to turn unemployed people into classroom assistants was today condemned by the National Union of Teachers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's initiative is the first of its kind in the country and puts jobless people on to training courses to become non-teaching assistants in schools across East Lancashire.

Supporters of the scheme have hailed it as a "brilliant project''.

But the NUT said it would lead to classes being taught by support staff and was "a classic case of underqualified people being pushed too far."

Twenty students, who all wanted to work in a school environment, were vetted for the scheme currently running at Bank Top Access Point.

When they finish they will be put on the council's personnel register and put forward for vacancies as classroom assistants.

Simon Jones, Blackburn with Darwen secretary of the NUT, hit out at the project.

He said: "We are very concerned by the increased dependency on assistants.

"This is a classic case where underqualified people will be pushed too far.

"A few weeks training is in no way enough to prepare someone for the added responsibility which will be expected of them."

Competition for the course was fierce with more than 150 people registering interest.

Six headteachers and support team representatives grilled would-be assistants who will undergo a five-week training programme and three-week primary school placement.

Applicants had to attend an open day, fill out application forms with the help of guidance officers, attend interviews as well as clear police and medical checks.

The 20 will 'graduate,' gaining certificates and a recognised open college learning qualification.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "This project is an excellent opportunity for local residents to equip themselves with the skills they need and knowledge to work in their chosen field."

The Adults in Schools project was developed heads identified a need for more adults in education.

But this is the first time it has been specifically directed to unemployed people.

All the students will now be proposed to head teachers as candidates for vacancies in the area.

Jackie Waring, Bank Top Access Point network manager, said: "This is the first rung on the ladder to a permanent position. And for an ambitious candidate, it could lead all the way to qualified teacher status."

Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning, said it was a ground-breaking initiative.

Funding for the Blackburn project has been given in part by a £20,000 cash injection from Lancashire Learning and Skills Council.

Unions and the Government recently signed the deal which will allow teaching assistants to take on 25 key administrative tasks away from teachers.

These include photocopying, chasing absences, class lists and displays, collating pupil reports and stocktaking.