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A group of young people have won the right to 'dream' work placements as part of a drive by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to increase the skills level of school leavers. The LSC teamed up with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Charlton Athletic Football Club, Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, hairdresser Trevor Sorbie, Sportsbeat newspaper and Sugar magazine to offer young people aged between 16 and 18 the opportunity to experience working life. The competition was set up to raise awareness of the possibilities and choices young people have in life if they achieve a minimum set of qualifications - which is defined by the LSC as five good GCSEs or the vocational equivalent. Government statistics show that, without these qualifications, young people are 51% more likely to be unemployed, and that by 2010, very few jobs will be open to them. Ramsay said he was delighted to be involved because it was important for budding young chefs to gain a minimum set of qualifications so that they can succeed in the industry. More on the skills gap