TEENAGERS will be helped in their education by a Government scheme which is coming to York.

The city has been chosen as one of 14 areas in the country which will be part of the Pathfinders scheme.

The project will be introduced in York in September.

It will provide more choice for youngsters aged between 14 and 19 and will allow them to follow pathways that suit their skills.

More than 30 employers in York will be involved in three key areas - science, creative industries and the professional sector.

Each employer will be asked to identify ways they can contribute to the education of young people.

Participants will be offered opportunities depending on their specific strengths and weaknesses including those who struggle academically, learners with specific aptitude and consistently high attainers.

Those with particular strengths in science will be able to take part in an annual study week organised by Science City York and schools in the city.

High attainers will be benefit from links with the University of York and York St John College.

Schools minister David Miliband said: "We are determined to increase the number of young people staying on in learning after 16 to build the best education system in the world, and ensure that our workforce is skilled enough to meet the demands of today's economy.

"It is important that we introduce more flexibility and choice for 14 to 19-year-olds so that students' programmes can be better tailored to their needs and aptitudes.

"The new pathfinders will not only build on the good work of the existing ones, but will also test 14 to 19 education and training in radical and innovative ways."

Updated: 09:39 Wednesday, July 16, 2003