More than 80 young people in Pembrokeshire will be given a helping hand onto the career ladder in 2009, thanks to the continued support of a Welsh business for leading youth charity, The Prince's Trust Cymru.

Over the last year, the charity's Get Into programme has received support from Milford Haven-based Dragon LNG, which has just announced its ongoing commitment to the newly launched 2009 Get Into programmes.

The Get Into programme, which is aimed at young people not in education, training or employment, offers young people intensive training and experience in a specific sector to help them gain the confidence they need to go on to secure work or further training.

Funding from Dragon LNG has enabled The Prince's Trust to employ a full-time programme coordinator and run seven programmes a year.

Wendy Goldsworthy, HR and PR advisor for Dragon LNG, said: "We are extremely committed to supporting the local community by providing young people with support and training opportunities, and are therefore really pleased to be involved with the Get Into Programme.

"We were first involved with The Prince's Trust Cymru in 2005 when we supported 'Get Into Construction' at the start of our own construction phase. Following two very successful years linked to construction, our main funding support since 2008 has been on the more varied 'Get Into' programme and we have been very pleased with the way this programme has made such a difference to the lives of our local young people. "

One of the young people to have recently benefited from the scheme is 18-year-old Reuben Hammond from Pembroke, who had been looking for training and employment opportunities.   

After initially approaching The Prince's Trust Cymru for help, Reuben took part in the 12-week team programme, which is aimed at young people who are unsure of their futures and need support.  Reuben took part in several community schemes such as helping to construct a disabled access for a wildlife centre and maintaining a graveyard.   

Having established a greater degree of career focus, Reuben then took part in the 'Get Into' programme, where he learnt a range of employment skills such as interview skills, customer service, and health and safety.

Reuben is now an apprentice carpenter at the Andrew Milward Joinery in Pembroke Dock, where he has been in full-time employment since September.   

Reuben said: "Taking part in The Prince's Trust programmes has really helped me to develop my skills and build up my confidence. One of the biggest changes to me as a person was that my social skills improved, mostly because of the really good friends I made. I think this has really helped me in my current job as an apprentice joiner.

"I now feel really confident about my future and would definitely advise other young people to take part in a Prince's Trust programme."

Tessa French, programme executive for The Prince's Trust Cymru, said: "We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Dragon LNG, which is helping to ensure that we can keep running programmes here in Pembrokeshire.  

"Over the next year, we plan to run a series of 'Get Into' programmes, as well as some new 'Get Started' programmes, which aim to engage those young people furthest from the job market and motivate them to take the first step.

"The Trust needs £1 million a week to continue this vital work across the UK - which is more important than ever in the economic climate. We need to ensure that we can keep supporting young people who are struggling more than ever to find employment opportunities."

For more information about The Prince's Trust Cymru please go to http://www.princes-or">www.princes-or call 0800 842 842.