However there are two major hurdles to overcome, particularly for the 16 to 24 year age group; a lack of experience and funding.

For those reasons, taking on a franchise business will also be beyond the reach of most young people, but franchising can offer them a stepping stone to future business ownership.

Having played competitive football since the age of eight and worked as coach throughout his teens, Graham Ware, 23, was drawn to a career in the sport.

He said: “At university I had a part time coaching job with the Little Kickers franchise, which runs football classes for young children. I really enjoyed it, and after a spell of football coaching in America, I was thrilled when my employer at Little Kickers, having decided to sell their franchise, asked me if I would like to take it on.”

He used his savings and took out a bank loan to fund the investment. The biggest challenge, he says, was learning the management aspects of the business, and he also found it tough to run a business through a recession.

“I’m confident that my classes are up to a very high standard, and my plan is to extend them to more venues in the area,” added Mr Ware.

Recruiting new franchisees from within the business also benefits the franchisor, as they are familiar with the company and the franchise concept.

Tom Endean, marketing manager at the British Franchise Association (bfa) said: “For the thousands of young people looking for work, employment with a franchise could be a huge opportunity in waiting. Spending time as a member of staff gives them a chance to learn the business and the time to raise the funds needed to invest in their own franchise operation if they are keen to do so at some point in the future. “What seems like a simple job to earn some cash and tide you over could actually be your first step to owning your own business.”

For more information on franchising visit the bfa website at www.thebfa.org