A SCHEME to help 15 young people in Ebbw Vale at risk of long-term unemployment has been relaunched thanks to a £10,000 donation from Corus.

The cash from UK Steel Enterprise, a Corus subsidiary, has enabled the Prince's Trust Cymru to restart after a two-year absence.

Through the Team programme, young people at risk of joining the dole queue are given skills and qualifications to boost their employability. They join activity programmes, work placements, a team challenge and a community project.

In previous years two-thirds of the unemployed participants from the programme entered full time education or employment within three months of course completion.

Last year UK Steel Enterprise, whose aim is to support economic regeneration in areas hit by steel closures, funded the successful Team Programme in Abertillery.

David Hughes, manager in Wales for UK Steel Enterprise, said: "We are delighted to be involved again with the Prince's Trust, which does such valuable work.

"It not only brings direct benefits to the young people on the programme, but also to the community at large through the community project.

"It is also pleasing to see the programme coming back to the Ebbw Vale after an absence."

External evaluation has valued the investment into the local community from the Team programme at £1,000 per participant or £15,000 per Team.

It costs over £6 million per annum to run the trust's services in Wales, all of which has to be found from voluntary sources within Wales.