Hairdressing skills are among those offered in the new scheme

Kent County Council has put �6m into funding 24 vocational training centres for subjects such as hair and beauty, information technology and marketing.

Students will also be able to learn motor engineering and building trades.

The scheme is being run jointly with Kent and Medway Learning and Skills Council and the Connexions service.

Students can see the relevance of what they are studying Gigi Luscomb

Two centres have already opened in Maidstone to offer construction crafts and hair and beauty therapy courses to students from the age of 14.

Pupils from Oldborough Manor School are already taking part.

"They can go into the workplace with these skills and they can see the relevance of what they are studying," said deputy head Gigi Luscomb.

"They seem to really enjoy it."

Adam Benton, 16, is doing a joinery course.

"I was not very good academically and I found school tough with all the exams, but I wasn't one of those people who are ready to drop out," he said.

"This is something you can have an interest in and if you have an interest it keeps you there."

'Stereotypes still there'

A spokesman for the learning and skills council said girls and boys still tend to study different subjects.

"Those stereotypes are there and we've got to keep working at that," he said.

"But in some of the centres there are girls involved in construction."

Work is under way at Whitstable Community College on a �1m training centre to open in the New Year.

Others are planned for King Ethelbert School in Thanet, Thamesview School in Gravesend, Homewood School in Tenterden, Northfleet School for Girls and Westlands School in Sittingbourne.