More than 250 people in the district are already starting to benefit from a £7.7 million Bradford Council project aimed at tackling high levels of unemployment in the area.

The first figures show that a total of 279 people are involved in the groundbreaking four-pronged scheme which aims to create 390 new jobs, 400 new apprenticeships, and 300 work experience placements across the district.

Get Bradford Working is made up of four elements – a job creation fund, a routes-into-work scheme, an apprenticeship training agency and industrial centres of excellence.

The Council confirmed that to date 209 people have taken advantage of the routes-into-work scheme. As a result 35 people have been helped to find work and 23 have gained qualifications.

In addition interviews have been held as part of an intermediate labour market programme to tackle long-term unemployment, particularly among 18 to 25-year-olds, those 50 or more and people with a disability or work-limiting health condition.

Job offers are in the pipeline for the first recruits, and it is expected that 50 people will start work shortly. The 12-month temporary jobs would see people carrying out work that benefits the community and gain experience.

Furthermore 20 young people are involved in the first pilot industrial centres of excellence ahead of the first officially opening in September.

The centres enable companies to take an increased role in the design of learning for 14 to 19-year-olds in their sector.

The first, a centre of excellence for business, is being set up in partnership with Shipley College, Titus Salt School in Baildon, and key employers such as Yorkshire Water, Incommunities, Provident and Beaumont Robinson.

Meanwhile, plans to open the apprenticeship training agency continue, with a partnership agreed with Bradford College, and the first wave of apprentices expected to be recruited in March, to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week.

Council leader, Councillor David Green, said: “Although it is early days, Get Bradford Working is already showing signs of enabling local people to find employment, gain qualifications, and change their lives as a result of the Council’s investment in employment and skills.”