Stoke-based social enterprise PM Training has been named the top Entry to Employment provider in Staffordshire.

The organisation, which provides more than 1,000 job and training opportunities for teenagers every year, is the top performer in the area for the programme which is run on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council.

It is the 5th year running that PM Training has led the field.

Currently a record seventy-one per cent of young people taking part in the E2E programme through PM Training, successfully progressed into full time education, apprenticeships or jobs.

This success rate is around 20% higher than the Staffordshire average.

However, PM Training is further committed to tackling youth unemployment in North Staffordshire, an area with some of the highest levels of young people not in education, employment or training.

It is launching the New Year with a hard-hitting campaign urging all unemployed school leavers to step into the world of work through vocational training.

Chief Executive Will Nixon said: "Entry to Employment provides a real life chance for teenagers who have been hardest hit by the recession.

"PM Training has one of the highest success rates in the country. This is because we recognise that every single young person has potential - they just need an opportunity to develop their skills.

"We partner with over 200 businesses, providing a steady supply of apprentices and employees. Our Entry to Employment programme is the perfect stepping stone and an opportunity not only to develop basic skills, but personal and social skills too."

PM Training, part of the Aspire Housing Group, has already provided tailor-made training and life-coaching programmes for nearly 10,000 people.

It offers Entry to Employment intakes for 16-18 year olds every three to four weeks, and all courses are delivered by highly qualified and experienced staff in state-of-the-art facilities.

The award-winning organisation has major contracts with the Learning and Skills Council and also provides training in a variety of subjects from basic numeracy and literacy to NVQ management courses.

"We can give young people the necessary balance of training, support and real-life skills that will benefit them as individuals and society as a whole," added Will Nixon.