THE "drop-out culture" among Worcestershire's teenagers is being tackled thanks to a £1.8m grant to increase practical courses in schools and colleges.

Students across the county will soon be able to access a wider range of vocational and job-orientated training after the cash was made available by the European Social Fund.

The scheme is targeted directly at those who are not suited to academic courses or are likely to fall out of education as a result of emotional or behavioural problems.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire's Learning and Skills Council will use the money to support any interested high school, so they can offer a broader curriculum.

Their students can then take a practical course rather than drop out of education altogether.

The "Vocational, Inclusion and Participation" plans were announced to schools at Hanover International Hotel, Bromsgrove.

"Vocational learning opportunities have been identified as a key to rekindling the thirst for learning among young people who have no regular patterns or structure in their life," said Kim Wattie, social inclusion projects officer for Worcestershire County Council.

"These pupils are likely to have poor motivation, emotional and behavioural problems, poor attendance records and low self-esteem and confidence.

"Work-based learning will give all these pupils a chance to try something new and discover previously latent skills and talents."

There are almost 600 youngsters across the county currently on programmes - such as EuroK4 and Worcestershire Links.

Initially, £300,000 will be spent to expand the existing projects while the remaining £1.5m will develop vocational courses for the 1,400 others who are not in school, work or training.