WORK experience schemes are being championed for young people in order to boost their chances of employment.

The National Skills Show 2013 gives young people the chance to find out about all the opportunities available to them to guide them into employment or training, including apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience.

The free-to-attend show features colleges, training providers and employers from across in the country, who can provide advice and support on the best route into a chosen career.

Work experience is a key component of the traineeship scheme and provides employers with a cohort of work ready young people who have the skills and knowledge required to begin employment.

Skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock said: “Employers want young people with great experience, as well as necessary qualifications.

“Worthwhile experience within a business gives young people the helping hand they need to secure employment or an apprenticeship.

“Work experience, whether paid or unpaid, can be hugely valuable to young people and evidence shows it works and helps people get jobs.

“So we support all businesses that offer work experience, and are making it as easy as possible to give young people these opportunities.”

The traineeship scheme provides 16 to 23-year-olds with the skills, experience and confidence to compete in the labour market – helping them secure apprenticeships or other jobs.

The scheme lasts a maximum of six months and provides work preparation training, such as interview preparation and CV writing, support to improve English and maths skills and a high quality work experience placement.

The National Skills Show arrives at the NEC in Birmingham from today, Thursday, until Saturday.

For more information on the Skills Show, visit theskillsshow.com.