Two Bath businesses have joined forces to help transform young people's lives.
A website has been launched to enable teenagers to match their skills and interests with suitable work placements.
The site also helps young people to develop the right skills for work.
Consultancy and software firm IPL and not-for- profit IT service provider Eduserv are behind the new website – The Transformation Hub – which has been created for the Transformation Trust.
Chief executive at Eduserv, Stephen Butcher, said: "We supply IT services to a lot of charities to help them use IT effectively, and as a charity ourselves we are pleased to use the surplus from our trading to support a charity that helps young people in such a tough economic climate."
The trust works with 800 of the most challenged schools in the UK, and it is hoped the hub will enable students and teachers to browse opportunities and apply for them.
As well as allowing the trust to interact with students directly, it hopes the new website will see young people take advantage of more opportunities over time, thanks to a tailored search alerts system.
Chief executive Amy Leonard said the idea of the hub was to create a one-stop resource for students and teachers.
"Within the first six months, we're aiming to have around 8,000 young people registered, and the tailored search alerts will really help us build longer-term, relevant relationships with these people.
"There's evidence to say that the biggest impact you have is when you have repetitive interactions – the people who've had four or five interactions with businesses are the ones that go on to succeed above their peers."
Paul Jobbins, chief executive at IPL, added: "We were really keen to work with a charity that helps give young people the best possible start in life. The Transformation Hub will have a real impact on people's lives, by enabling the trust to offer some great opportunities to a larger audience."
To mark the launch, the trust has also launched a talent competition, giving students the chance to perform at Wembley Arena.
