Skills minister Matthew Hancock has opened a new centre that is helping school-leavers prepare for the world of work.

He visited WS Training’s new central office at Cromwell Court on Grey Friars Road, Ipswich, to open a centre that concentrates on providing skills for youngsters Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs).

Mr Hancock, who is also MP for West Suffolk, said last week’s jobless figures showed the number of young people without work in Ipswich was falling significantly.

He said: “This is the kind of training that is needed to keep up that good news. There are jobs being created out there but youngsters need the right skills to be able to compete for them.”

The centre works to improve youngsters’ skills in English and maths and also to build up their life skills, boosting confidence and teaching basics like good timekeeping, how to talk to people over the telephone, and team working skills.

Since the centre opened its doors recently four trainees have already found permanent jobs.

Mr Hancock said: “The work is out there – and about two thirds of the jobs that are being created now are full-time, contrary to what some are saying.”

Jane Vincent, chief executive of WS Training, said the new centre was in addition to the company’s existing office in IP-City on the West Bank.

She said: “We wanted somewhere near the heart of the town that people could reach easily, and we are very pleased with the way things have started here.

“It is very important to provide training to young people, and to make it as easy as possible for them to access those skills – we are delighted at the way this work has started.”