By Angela Kelly A SCHEME pioneered in Bolton to give children experience of working life has been endorsed by the launch of a national campaign.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has just announced the powerful new Enterprise Insight campaign.

It will involve children and young people aged from five to 30 in enterprise to give them new skills, increased understanding of businesses -- and a "can do" attitude to life.

It is a business-led partnership between the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Institute of Directors and other organisations.

Vital

At the launch, Mr Blair stressed: "Creating an enterprise culture is vital. It is business and entrepreneurs that create wealth -- and the young people of today are the entrepreneurs of tomorrow."

The campaign is backed by Bolton and Bury Chamber. And chief executive Richard Bindless endorsed the PM's view.

He added:"We want to help open young people's eyes to enterprise and the exciting opportunities it can offer them."

He felt it was vital to "help develop and channel the talents, energy, creative and innovation of young people" to the benefit of both individuals and society. Now, a long-term programme of activity will call on a network of hundreds of business "ambassadors" to help involve young people in enterprise.

In Bolton, however, we have already built up something of a reputation in this area.

The new campaign will support the work of the Chamber's nationally-acclaimed Education Business Partnership, which gives over 6,000 local young people a year a taste of working life.

The Chamber introduced children as young as five to business, creating giant-sized books about the youngsters' adventures in local industry.

There is a comprehensive work experience programme which takes thousands of children into a wealth of firms to sample jobs. And young enterpreneurs have been helped to set up "companies" to emulate business conditions, with real trading.

Now, Bolton's practical aspirations with local youngsters will receive a national boost. As Richard Bindless says: "This is a great opportunity for dynamic individuals to help 'groom' enterpreneurs of the future, and to boost their own personal development."

And Bolton will certainly reap the business benefit for generations to come.