A GROUP of young people from Bradford have joined the Ministry of Justice as part of a new social mobility programme.

The ten month Smart Futures programme, run by the EY Foundation, aims to give young people facing barriers to employment paid work experience, workplace skills, and mentor support to help them fulfil their potential and get their dream job.

Students from Bradford College, Titus Salt School, St Benedict's Catholic College, Belle Vue Girls' Academy, and St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College are all taking part in the programme.

It will give them a taste of what goes on in the department, and students will be given real projects and treated as members of staff during their time there.

Shaun McNally, the Ministry of Justice’s social mobility champion, said: “We want the most talented people working for us whatever their background and this partnership with the EY Foundation is helping us to do just that.

"It’s also important that we have staff with different perspectives and experiences as the justice system touches on the lives of people from all walks of life.”

Councillor Imran Khan, executive member for education, employment and skills at Bradford Council, added: "We’re determined that when young people leave education and training, they have the skills and experience that will give them a wider choice of good jobs.

"Initiatives like the EY Foundation’s fantastic Smart Futures programme provide our young people with quality paid work placements and give them the opportunity to develop key skills employers are looking for.”