IN this economic climate it is difficult for young people to find jobs.

According to the Office for National Statistics (August 2012) more than 19,000 people are unemployed in Devon.

Figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in 2012 show that up to one fifth of graduates are without work six months after graduating.However there are alternative routes to employment for young people including "Social Enterprise", which fosters entrepreneurial activity to set up new business with a social purpose at its core.

A "social purpose" is something that benefits the community and/or the environment.

Some examples of activities with a social purpose include:  education and training for people with disabilities, renewable energy and nature conservation work, therapeutic arts and the like. High profile social enterprises include the Eden Project, "Big Issue" and the Co-operative supermarkets.

The Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) is a new accredited learning opportunity which allows young people to develop and run their own social enterprise, researching issues that are important to them and creating a financial business around it.

Recent examples include a group of young people at Plymouth College who's social enterprise "Ecovation", which helped to reduce food waste by creating a new eco bird feeder, as well as Truro-based sisters Fahima and Masuma's  mini henna painting business with a percentage of profits going to charity. Young people who undertake the qualification (which can be run at schools, youth clubs or any other setting where learning is taking place) will develop business skills and experience at the same time as making a difference about issues that matter to them. A training course will be held in Exeter on October 9 for any teachers or youth workers who would like to become SEQ mentors and deliver this new qualification in their settings.  For more information and booking visit: http://www.devonrcc.org.uk/events">www.devonrcc.org.uk/events .