YOUNG people who have failed to shine in the classroom are being invited to showcase their talents in a new initiative from New College.

Superstars - The Academy was launched by last year's winner of The Apprentice, Michelle Dewberry, and is aimed at anyone who would like a career in fashion, fitness or management.

The 12-week intensive course, which is being sponsored by Intel, will cater for those between 16 and 25 and has been designed along the same lines as the X-Factor and The Apprentice.

The college is planning to hold auditions next month where 15 people will be selected for each course.

Fifteen finalists from each category will then win a place on the courses that will begin at the end of April.

A panel of judges and tutors will choose one lucky winner at the end of each of the three courses, who will win a job in the career of their dreams.

"I always wanted to run my own business, but had to overcome several hurdles in order to get my dream career," said Michelle.

"This is a great opportunity for people who haven't excelled academically to have a second chance at following their dreams through a less traditional route "I'm thrilled to be able to share my story with the people of Wiltshire and, hopefully, encourage them that it is possible to succeed."

Michelle shot to fame after winning a place in Sir Alan Sugar's business empire in the BBC2 show last year.

A top businesswoman before appearing on The Apprentice, she left school with only two GCSEs.

She now runs her own consultancy business and has a book coming out.

She told yesterday's press conference that, despite her success, she would have been glad to enrol on a course like The Academy.

She said: "If I cast my mind back to when I was 16 or 17, I was probably the ideal person this scheme is looking to attract. We really want this scheme to reach out and grab those people with potential."

New College principal Graham Taylor said he hoped to find jobs for all the people taking part in the course and that if the course is successful the college would look to run two or three schemes a year.

Swindon has about 1,200 16 and 17 year olds who are either not in education or employment, or who are in employment but who have no training and therefore few prospects.

Mr Taylor said: "We are looking for rough diamonds with hidden talent and potential that we can polish up and pass on to local companies."

For more information about Superstars - The Academy scheme log on to www.superstarstheacademy.com or call 0808 178 3698. The closing date is Friday, March 9.