Young people across the city will gather for a glitzy award ceremony at the Guildhall next Monday, 23 July.

More than 200 youngsters aged between 14 and 19 years of age will receive certificates in recognition of their achievements at York Training Centre.

Run by City of York Council, the training centre offers work-related learning for  young people as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, normal school-based studies, as well as apprenticeships for 16-19 year olds.

Young people at the centre are referred from schools and Connexions and usually do between one and three days per week on a work placement, such as hairdressing, health and social care, early years care, building work or horticulture. They may spend the rest of the week at school, or in class at the training centre.

Phillip Metcalfe, the centre's 14-19 manager, said: "Academic studies in a conventional school environment don't suit everyone. The aim of the 14-16 programme is to encourage young people who may have found school difficult, for a host of reasons, to excel in other spheres.

"The young people can work with the team at the centre and at their work placements to achieve NVQ and other City and Guild and OCR qualifications, as well as a wealth of practical experience. The vast majority go on to get full time jobs, apprenticeships and places at local colleges."

The awards will be presented by David Atkinson, chief executive of City of York Council, and Councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball, the council's executive member for Corporate Services.