Bradford youngsters on a unique training course not only gain new skills but are almost certain to find a job and, if necessary, even a home too.

Impact Business Services, a city-based social enterprise group, is expanding its trailblazing training programmes for 18 to 25-year-olds from the Bradford 5 area.

Under the scheme, youngsters get paid for two days' work a week and undergo skills training for three days.

The one-year courses are customised for individual students from deprived backgrounds in Little Horton to help them improve their skills and find long-term employment.

So far, eight youngsters have received Impact training funded by Bradford Trident. Now in its third year, the programme is being expanded to 21 places for youngsters due to begin in March. Ten have already been selected but other places remain open.

Jill Johnson, who spearheads the award-winning programme, said each course was tailor-made to the trainees' requirements.

"The first four weeks is all about personal development," said Mrs Johnson. "They learn about their preferences, how they fit into a team, where their skills lie, their goal setting and then we customise a package for them to make sure we put them on the right path.

"All the youngsters are taken from the Little Horton area. They have to have been unemployed for a period of time. We see it as their last opportunity to get a job. They've tried lots of other ways of getting employment but it hasn't been successful for them.

"So they relearn skills and develop them personally to give them some self-belief, self-worth and confidence. They have work experience to find their strengths."

At the end of the training some of the youngsters wind up working for the Impact organisation itself. Others are given help to find jobs elsewhere.

Impact is constantly searching out companies in the Bradford area prepared to offer placements to students.

And its success stems from its hands-on approach.

"There aren't many training companies which can put trainees into a real work environment," said Mrs Johnson. "We don't play at it. We have real customers with real problems and a live environment. You just can't replace that with training courses."