A pioneering scheme to get more enterprising students into workplaces before they leave school or college was launched at a Norfolk academy on Friday.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, officials from the Norfolk Way, 25 business leaders and pupils at Wymondham High gathered to mark the emergence of a new work club to help young people to realise their dreams and gain a valuable insight into the world of work.

The creation of the Norfolk Way Work Club at Wymondham High will form a link between employers and the workforce of the future to help inspire and encourage their entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr Freeman, who founded The Norfolk Way in 2007, to promote enterprise within Norfolk's rural economy, said the scheme aimed to differ from work experience and not be as structured as an apprenticeship with 'zero bureaucracy'. He added that he hoped the pilot work club could be adopted by other schools in Norfolk.

'This is a difficult time for school leavers, especially in the rural parts of Norfolk. The aim of this work club is to create opportunities for sixth formers and school leavers to access one-off, part-time, occasional work experience with local businesses,' he said.

Funding from membership from The Norfolk Way has also enabled a bursary scheme to be set up to help school leavers find alternative routes to get on the employment ladder.

Justin Smith, director of enterprise and community at Wymondham High said the academy was beginning to open its doors to business. 'Academically we are an exceptionally strong school, but in many cases they [the students] want to engage with real life businesses,' he said.