LEARNERS in Worcestershire are being invited to vie for a special award.

The search is on for stars of the West Midlands Learning and Skills Council's (LSC's) European Social Fund (ESF) programme - those individuals who have made the most of the opportunities provided by the programme's free training schemes which have been operating in the region since 2005.

As the current LSC ESF programme draws to a close, the organisation wants training providers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to look back at their ESF-funded projects and nominate beneficiaries who really stand out.

Nominees will not necessarily be those who have achieved the most, the judges will also be looking for those who have made the most progress or have strived to overcome barriers or who have used their acquired skills to the full. There are six categories: Best Learner (excellence).

Best New Business Starter.

Best Workplace Learner.

Best Overall Young. Achiever (14 - 19 year olds).

Best Overall Adult. Achiever (19+).

Best Re-Trainer.

Entries from each sub-region will be shortlisted in February and finalists will be invited to attend the Stars for Skills Awards ceremony taking place at Molineux Football Stadium Wolverhampton, on Wednesday, March 12, hosted by BBC Midlands Today journalist Ashley Blake.

Entry forms can be downloaded at www.lsc.gov.uk /westmidlands/ESF and the deadline for the completed forms is on Wednesday, January 30.

David Cragg, regional director of the LSC, said: "More than £120 million from the LSC's regional ESF programme has helped boost skills and get thousands of people back into training and work in the West Midlands.

"We want training providers to nominate those individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to the training provided and who have really made the most of the opportunities provided."

Key priorities for Herefordshire and Worcestershire include providing support for the region's industrial zones and encouraging skills development among 14 to 19-year-olds with more than 4,200 young people taking part in initiatives designed to help them secure further education or job opportunities.

Local employers have also benefited from the provision of free or subsidised training courses for their workforce with almost 3,200 full and part-time employees receiving ESF-backed skills development and training.

A further 1,225 people have been helped into jobs.

More than 1,000 people with disabilities have received support to help them to gain skills or equipment to improve their employability.