A JOB creation programme providing a bridge into work for unemployed people in the district has reached a key milestone well ahead of target.

Partners in the Employment Opportunities Fund are celebrating reaching the 400th subsidised job, in a scheme designed to ensure participants are better equipped to compete in the labour market as they gain additional skills, experience and qualifications.

The 400th person is father-of-three Ashley Huddleston, who has gained a 12-month placement at The Cellar Trust, a Shipley-based project which supports adults with mental health needs. It is a step forward for him as he has been largely unemployed with just some short term temporary jobs in the past three years and this will help him in pursuing a career as a support worker.

The programme had originally aimed to reach its target of 400 jobs by 2015, but additional investment has brought this forward and also means that a further 200 jobs are now in the pipeline.

It is particularly targeted at 18-24 year-olds, those aged 50 and over, and people with disabilities, who claim active benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance.

They are paid the minimum wage for 30 hours per week up to 52 weeks with the funding coming directly from the programme. At the end of the placement it is hoped that the skills and experience they have picked up will lead to them finding a permanent job.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's executive member for employment, skills and culture, said: "The Employment Opportunities Fund is part of the Council's Get Bradford Working Scheme to boost employment opportunities for all those living in the district.

"We are absolutely delighted that the fund has achieved its target of creating 400 jobs, and is on course to deliver an additional 200 jobs, far exceeding our original expectations. The programme is now receiving national acclaim, and is going from strength to strength by delivering exceptional results.

"This is another example of how the Council is working in partnership to take action to help people into work.

"We have invested £10.5m into Get Bradford Working and are delighted that partners such as Incommunities, Bradford's largest registered social landlord, Jobcentre Plus and Aspire-Igen have also invested significantly."

Get Bradford Working programmes also include the Apprenticeship Training Agency, the Routes into Work commissioned fund, and Industrial Centres of Excellence which are delivering an industry-based curriculum for 14-19 year-olds.

Steve Short, director, Incommunities Open Field service, said: "This programme along with the follow on Leeds City Region Head Start employment programme has offered a fresh start for people looking to make a difference in their lives.

"The success of this programme is best demonstrated by the fact that over 50 per cent of all participants have not returned to the unemployment register as a result of having an Employment Opportunities Fund placement and of these 28 participants have started work with Incommunities and we are expecting this number to increase over the coming months.

"Over 900 candidates attended an initial assessment day and more than 650 people went on to an accredited recruitment and selection training programme.”

Others have gone into a wide variety of jobs in various sectors such as banking, commerce and industry, and some have taken up places on further education or training.

New employers who could offer employment to a young, unemployed person should contact the Open Field service on (01274) 254800. Jobs must be of community benefit, and be expected to become permanent, but the full wages and payroll costs are taken care of by the programme for the placement period.