A £1.5 million project is to tackle truancy and low achievement among under-16s in Newport and Monmouthshire.

Launched by Career Wales, it is hoped the scheme will reduce the number of unauthorised absent school days following reports that truancy levels in England have not fallen for seven years.

It is an extension of one of Careers Wales's most successful schemes to date, Youth Gateway, which until now was only available to people aged 16-19 years old.

Operating in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wrexham, Flintshire and Powys, the new project will work with more than 2,500 young people under the age of 16 who are experiencing difficulties in school.

"By starting work with young people at an earlier age, we can address the problems at hand before they become too embedded and difficult to overcome, which often results in them leaving school without any qualifications or employment prospects," said Careers Wales Association's executive director, Lesley Rees.

"Using our personal advisers to create a one-to-one mentoring scheme, we will be tackling problems such as truancy and lack of motivation or confidence. We'll also be working with low achievers, young people with special educational needs and those who have become disaffected."

The Youth Gateway pre-16 project has received a £674,000 grant approved by the Welsh European Funding Office which has been match-funded by the National Assembly.

A range of services will be used to help young people to build confidence, self-esteem, motivation and personal aspirations.

It will also provide the latest labour market information and advice on applying for jobs and interviews, as well as helping to build skills in word processing, presentations and using databases.

The 28-month project will also use www.careerswales.com - the new virtual careers information, advice and guidance service - to help each client build their own progress file.

Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport, said: "European funding is making a real difference to our communities.

"This project is an excellent example of how we are helping young people to develop new skills and in turn, fulfil their potential and contribute to building a stronger Welsh economy."