A CASH sweetener encouraging teenagers to continue learning after leaving school is being taken up by more young people in Essex, new figures have revealed.

Education maintenance allow-ances were launched in 2004, offering 16 to 19 year olds £30 a week to stay in education, helping to improve their skills and achieve more qualifications.

In Southend, 666 young people received the allowance in 2004/05, but by 2007, that figure had more than doubled to 1,579, and is expected to continue growing.

In Essex the number of young people receiving the allowance rose from 4,638 to 10,527.

There was similar success in Thurrock, where it climbed from 529 to 1,220 for the same period.

Linda Hill, education maintenance allowance co-ordinator for Seevic College, Thundersley, said: "Providing the allowance for students has proved immensely successful at Seevic.

"We now have more than 850 students receiving the benefit. The bonus payments have worked as a brilliant incentive to encourage students to reach their targets.

"We have a number of students living independently for which the weekly payments have been invaluable."

Janice Logie, area director of the Learning and Skills Council in Essex, said she believed the allowances meant more people were staying in education, broadening their experiences and improving their skills.

She said: "Young people who would otherwise have been unable to remain in education are staying on. As a result attainment is rising across the board.

"The allowance is making a real difference to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people and is helping to create a level playing field for the skilled employees of tomorrow."

Funds helped me study

SINGLE mum Stephanie Czech-owicz, 19, is taking A-levels in economics, government and politics, maths and general studies at Seevic College, Thundersley.

Stephanie, from Billericay, said the allowance has helped her get back to studying.

She said: "Although I had a child at a young age, I have successfully completed my GCSEs and AS-levels and am continuing with my education this summer.

"The allowance has aided this process and I hope to progress to university in September."