Disadvantaged young people are being left behind by the job recruitment system, a teaching specialist has claimed.

Last week, Lynn Reddick of Nescot Further Education College in Epsom, told businesses about a scheme to stop youngsters with learning difficulties being condemned to day centres and benefit dependency.

She said: “We give these kids excellent skills for the workplace and they’re being totally wasted.

“I started this to give people the chance to see what they can do and how much they contribute to a team.”

The Supported Employment Initiative aims to show employers the traditional recruitment process does not always lead to the best candidate for the job.

Young people with learning difficulties often find traditional interviews extremely difficult and this restricts their ability to find work – even for jobs which do not require strong verbal skills.

Nescot provides students with a specialist mentor who is trained to work with employers, to ensure the right student is matched to the right position at a suitable firm.

The Holiday Inn and the Epsom Downs Racecourse are among the businesses to have taken up the scheme so far.

Abi Gupta, who runs the the Epsom Downs Holiday Inn, praised Lisa Taylor, a current employee who was recruited through the scheme.

He said: “When I first mentioned taking Lisa on there were some doubters, but we’ve proved them wrong.

“She has been one of my best employees – if you give a job to Lisa you know it’s going to get done properly.”

Mr Gupta added he will tell his bosses the scheme should be rolled out across the entire hotel chain.

Miss Taylor said: “I’ve been given opportunity to work my way up from the kitchen, to housekeeping and admin, and I’m really looking forward to my training for front of house.”

Mrs Reddick explained the college also provides expert help to employers in devising roles for the students and in dealing with any issues that arise.

She said: “We’re there all the way through for advice and guidance. We want this to be a positive experience for everyone involved.”

Employers and mentors who would like to be a part of the Supported Employment Initiative should call Andrew Humphries at Nescot for more information and details about the scheme, on 020 8394 3290.