GOVERNMENT plans to raise the school leaving age from 16 to 18 have won support in south Essex.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls wants to see teenagers remain in education or training for longer to improve their prospects.

A Bill to change the law will see compulsory education extended to 17 in 2013, and then to 18 from 2015, which will affect today's ten-year-olds.

Teenagers who refuse to stay on at school or college face spot fines of £50 or court action and a possible £200 fine under the plans.

Neil Bates, chief executive of Prospects College, based in Southend and Basildon, said the plan would help young people to achieve more in life, earn more money and stay in employment.

He said: "We are very positive about this. There are a high percentage of young people leaving school and entering employment without any formal training. Statistics show these young people are more vulnerable to becoming unemployed and they earn up to 30 per cent less than those with qualifications.

"Also, vulnerable people who leave with no qualifications or training are more likely to be unemployed for a long time and have associated problems.

"We are more interested in incentives to encourage young people to stay on and do vocational courses.

"We are less enthusiastic about making it compulsory with penalties for non- attendance."

Mr Balls has said "a culture change" was needed to make it unacceptable for young people to be out of work and not studying at the age of 16 and 17.

Sharon Norris, 35, from Shoebury, left school without qualifications, but has studied for a degree as a mature student.

The mum-of-two said: "I want my children to do well and get a good job. Then they will always be financially stable. Education is the most important thing and I totally agree with changing the age and even fining young people. It is such a fantastic opportunity to be able to learn or do something vocational and keeps young people in a good setting."

Mr Balls accepted many young people did not welcome the idea of being forced to stay on in school or training for jobs for an extra two years.

He said: "The days where many people could leave school at 16 without qualifications and work their way up into a fulfiling and rewarding career are behind us.

"If we don't act now to increase participation it will be the most disadvantaged young people in our society who will be the losers."