A GOVERNMENT minister has praised a Yorkshire company for its training opportunities after visiting one of its Bradford sites.

Mims Davies MP, The Minister for Employment, took a trip to Yorkshire Water's Esholt Wastewater Treatment Works on Tuesday (June 15).

She met some of the company's current apprentices, heard about its training academy and learnt about Yorkshire Water's involvement in the "Kickstart" scheme.

The utility firm recently employed 75 young people under the initiative, which helps 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit secure fixed term contracts.

This allows them to gain work experience and embark on a potential career.

Yorkshire Water guarantees that every person who successfully completes its Kickstart programme - which takes six months - will be given a job interview for a role within the business.

The roles range from working in the customer experience team, the land and property department, or being part of the flooding resilience team.

Mims Davies MP, said: “It was brilliant to meet the Yorkshire Water team and see first-hand the innovative training and work opportunities being created for local people, including through the DWP Kickstart Scheme and new apprenticeships.

“From Shipley to Scarborough, right across Yorkshire our Plan for Jobs is boosting skills and job prospects for people of all ages as we push to build back better.”

Yorkshire Water is running its Kickstart scheme in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and trade unions.

The latter will assist the water company by providing monthly sessions to help with challenges faced in a return to work situation or first-time employment, monthly career workshops and CV support. 

Gillian Mason, head of organisational development at Yorkshire Water, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Mims Davies to our Esholt site and talk to her about our commitments to the Kickstart scheme, our academy and our apprenticeship programme.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming 75 Kickstarters to the business over the next year.

"We are committed to giving them as much training and support as we can, starting with a guaranteed interview for a role in the company for everyone who successfully completes the six-month scheme.”