A TOP Formula One team boss has backed a new plan to offer motoring skills to young people from a High Wycombe charity.

Ross Brawn, team principal of Mercedes who former F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton drives for, and a long time supporter of SKIDZ, is praising the charity's new initiative, which sees it link up with Amersham and Wycombe College.

He said: "For many young people in the UK today, future prospects are limited and this is becoming ever more apparent with over one million young people in the UK being NEET - Not in Employment, Education or Training. Over the last four years SKIDZ has helped over 90per cent of its students gain employment and further educational or training opportunities."

The charity was originally set up in 1998 to help disadvantaged and vulnerable young people and has evolved to work with schools across the region. The courses on offer are aimed at helping young people develop both their skills and their confidence.

Ross added: "This is why SKIDZ has joined forces with Amersham & Wycombe College to offer a new course in motor mechanics for 16-19 year olds. The course will be delivered by professional mechanics and provide practical training within a working garage, so young people can gain that all important hands-on experience for those wanting to pursue a rewarding career within motor mechanics or engineering."

The new course is open to all young people aged from 16 to 19 years, who can sign up at a special promotional event being held this week.

Graham Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of SKIDZ, says the charity’s six full-time trainers are currently providing courses for 250 students each week from its base in Leigh Street, High Wycombe. He says: "Since SKIDZ was formed, around 8,000 young people have gained skills that are transferable to the world of work, giving them life and vocational skills as well as educational attainment. Many of our students have gone on to gain apprenticeships working at high class dealerships such as BMW, Porsche, Volvo to name but a few."

The promotional event, which runs at AMF Bowling, Eden Centre, in High Wycombe from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, June 18, will be attended by rally driving legend, and SKIDZ Patron, Paddy Hopkirk who famously won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 in a Mini Cooper S, leading to the Mini becoming an iconic British motor car. Ross Brawn is unable to attend due to his F1 commitments but had recorded a special video message for the event, and has offered for some students to visit the Mercedes team headquarters for a behind the scenes glimpse at the racing world.

www.SKIDZ.org.uk