Poultec Training, which runs apprenticeships and courses in Mattishall and Norwich, told students on Friday that all its 16-19 study programmes would be scrapped from September.

The move has sparked fury among current students and youngsters who are planning to start after the summer.

The study programmes provided at training centres at the Henderson Business Centre in Earlham and on South Green Road, Mattishall, are a crucial provision for those without an apprenticeship or are unable to access larger sixth form colleges such as City College.

The axed courses are understood to include hairdressing, barbering, equine, business admin, welding, mechanics, and engineering. 

Many teenagers now say they will be unable to find alternative college places for next term, and staff are also reportedly braced for redundancies.

There are also concerns the closure will add to the growing problem of NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) young people across the county. Currently around 800 to 1,000 16- to 18-year-olds in Norfolk are........

© Eastern Daily Press