A NEW programme which supports jobseekers into employment is celebrating one of its first successes since officially launching in the city last month.

Work Routes is a free programme which offers one-to-one support including free skills training, CV development, interview practice and financial assistance with child care, work clothes and travel.

The programme, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, is delivered by Reed in Partnership.

It is set to support more than 3,100 people in Bradford and Leeds over three years, and has recently teamed up with two local organisations - Groundwork and QED - to extend the service in order to help even more unemployed people.

The programme recently helped a 21-year-old man who had very little work experience and was unsure about the route he wanted to take. Daniel was able to find employment after putting advice from Work Routes into practice.

Alex Lomax, Daniel’s Work Routes employment adviser at Groundwork, said: “When I first met Daniel, he was very de-motivated and fed up with facing constant rejection. He had all the barriers associated with youth unemployment – lack of experience; vocationally undecided; no interview skills; and his CV was also very basic.”

“We decided to have an in-depth session to see what he really wanted to do.

“From there, we completely revamped his CV to make it sell his personal qualities. We then carried out intensive job searches, helped him to complete online applications, and gave him interview preparation.”

Daniel soon found work at a Leeds pub and he credits Work Routes with helping him achieve his goals.

He said: “I received a lot of useful help and advice [with Work Routes]. Having a job has made me feel a lot better and self-confident.”

Work Routes is available to jobseekers from Bradford and Leeds who are aged over 18 and are currently seeking employment.

For more information visit workroutes.co.uk, or contact one of the Work Routes offices in the district: Reed in Partnership on 01274 377615, Groundwork on 0113 238 0601 and QED on 01274 952024.

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