A PROJECT set up to tackle youth unemployment across Worcestershire by increasing the number of young people working for themselves has won a prestigious enterprise award.

The Young People’s Enterprise Centre of Expertise (YPECOE) was created to increase awareness of self-employment among 16 to 24 year-olds.

Youth unemployment is at its highest level since official records began and the West Midlands has the highest Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant rate for 18 to 24 year-olds in the UK.

After two years of working to tackle these challenges, YPECOE has been crowned the most enterprising project in the West Midlands in the Enterprising Britain competition.

Now in its sixth year, the nationwide competition run by Enterprise UK rewards cities, villages, towns and projects that have tackled the economic downturn head-on and are successfully creating jobs, boosting local business and nurturing entrepreneurial talent. YPECOE will now compete for the national title.

Louise Bennett, patron of YPECOE, said: “Youth unemployment is one of the major issues facing Worcestershire with an estimated 110,000 now without work – nearly 26 per cent of young people in the area. “Of course, these are just statistics but the real picture is one of low employment prospects for young people leaving school, college or university, which means we need to look at some innovative ways of creating jobs.

“Self-employment is often overlooked as a career path for young people. I believe the work YPECOE and the Young People’s Enterprise Partnership is doing to engage young people, develop opportunities and raise awareness of the possibilities of enterprise is making a real difference.

“Winning Enterprising Britain for the West Midlands is an achievement we are very proud of and we are delighted to be recognised for our collective efforts.”