Clubs will work with the executive to help youths into employment

Kick Start, which is backed by �400,000 of Scottish Executive funding, will target young people who are not in employment, education or training.

It aims to exploit the "unique appeal" of football to attract youngsters who have slipped through the net.

The initiative aims to help about 5,000 young people annually.

Programmes run by Scottish Premier League clubs already help at least 2,500 young people each year. Kick Start hopes to draw on the success of these schemes.

'Fresh thinking'

Education projects will be set up at clubs which do not already run them.

Clubs will also look at the possibility of setting up work placements and training in areas such as marketing, catering and retail.

Mr McConnell described the project as a new and innovative way of connecting with disaffected youngsters.

"It is the kind of fresh thinking we need to make an impact and change the lives of these young people by inspiring them to take the second chance we're offering," he said.

"Football clubs have a credibility and connection with our young people that is hard to replicate.

Jack McConnell hopes the scheme will reach disaffected young people

"They can provide a learning environment where those who have fallen out of the system can not only feel comfortable but also be inspired."

Kick Start is also supported by computer firm Microsoft, whose chairman Bill Gates pledged to tackle the problem of youngsters who were not in employment education or training (neet) at the recent Microsoft Government Leaders Forum at the Scottish Parliament.

Figures revealed last year suggested there were 35,000 young people classed as neet.

Scottish Executive analysis has showed that around 20,000 of them would need support in order to access education or employment opportunities.

Mr McConnell added: "Too many young Scots are slipping through the net, leaving the education system and falling into joblessness. Too many are not engaging in the training or education they need to get into employment.

"Football clubs have a credibility and connection with our young people that is hard to replicate. Jack McConnell First Minister

"But there is a real momentum behind building a shared desire to tackle the problem. Football clubs can play a crucial role and that's why I called them together today."

Lex Gold, executive chairman of the SPL said he was delighted with the announcement of the "excellent" initiative.

"Our clubs already engage in a lot of work in their communities and we will review that today and I think it may have come as a surprise to some just how much our clubs are doing.

"However, we recognise there is more that we can and should be doing currently as we have agreed with the first minister that we are going to take that forward."

Mr Gold also claimed he would like to see the initiative attract young women not in education or employment.

Plans were also backed by Richard Baker, Labour MSP for North East Scotland, who helped produced a Scottish Parliament report on football, which recommended that the executive build on the success of schemes such as such midnight football leagues run in the north east.

"I know Aberdeen are already working with many local youngsters and have a range of employment and training opportunities which can be accessed within the club such as, marketing, catering, retail and transport," he said.