YOUNG people in Felixstowe who are out of school and out of work are being given an innovative new way to gain qualifications thanks to European funding.

YOUNG people in Felixstowe who are out of school and out of work are being given an innovative new way to gain qualifications thanks to European funding.

The teenagers are taking part in a regular exercise regime - helping them to feel good about themselves and go on to achieve more.

The scheme is part of the training programmes run by ITS Training Services at Cliff House, Hamilton Gardens, with the work pumping iron and raising their heartbeats in the gym linking fitness and healthy living to self-esteem for the 16 to 18 year olds.

MEP Richard Howitt visited ITS Training to see how youngsters on the Youth East project - which has received around �900,000 for schemes across Suffolk - exercise their bodies and also their minds, too, by studying nutrition and numeracy.

“The old saying healthy body, healthy mind seems to ring true,” said Mr Howitt.

“Giving young people the opportunity to stay fit and healthy helps to boost their self-esteem and when people have a positive outlook it makes it easier for them to learn.

“This project helps young people to gain vital skills and qualifications but by doing this through exercise, it's a completely different experience to the classroom, giving those who've disliked school in the past a new way to learn.”

The MEP's visit included a demonstration of a fitness simulator system which allows students to experience a working environment in the fitness and entertainment industry, plus a song from one of the students and a hip hop demo.

John Edson, of ITS Training, said: “The afternoon demonstrated learning styles to help those whom have left school and are not in employment, education or training, and how we have assisted them to gain employment.”