Former Apprentice contestant Azhar Siddique has helped launch a new project to help young entrepreneurs move into the mainstream business sector.

The Step Up to Business programme is being run by Bradford-based training social enterprise Aspire-i with funding from Bradford Council. It aims to engage young people who may already be selling or providing services – but are operating through unregistered business and working on the edges of the law.

The programme is designed to help young entrepreneurs formalise their business and protect them from exploitation and help them use their enterprise skills to secure a safer, more sustainable future.

It follows a recent study by the University of Bradford and Barnardo’s of young people aged 16 to 24 who are working in the grey economy.

The Step Up project will develop a set of resources, a training programme, a register of business services and a professional network to help youth support workers to understand what young people need to do to formalise their business. It will help them to advise and guide young people, using simple steps and existing business support networks, to become successful legitimate businesspeople in their own right.

As an ambassador for the programme, Azhar Siddique took part in the launch event at Future House in Bolling Road.

Kathryn Loftus, 14-19 participation officer from the Council’s education, employment and enterprise team, said: “It’s great that Azhar Siddique is involved in this innovative programme. The Council has grant-funded Aspire-i to provide support. Working together in this way means we can offer the best support possible to young people.”

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for children’s services, said: “Azhar’s support for the programme is very welcome. Having inspirational role models is a great way of inspiring young people to achieve the best they can with their business.”

  • Aspire-i is also involved in delivering the Graduate Opportunities Programme, which is helping 310 graduates in Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees to find work. Organisers have urged employers to provide vacancies for the GOP talent pool. Last year 82 per cent of registered graduates were helped to find jobs and was nominated for a Times Higher Education award for services to the local community. Employers with graduate vacancies should contact Nyree Cluderay, on (1274) 379400 or e-mail nyree.cluderay@aspire-i.com.