More businesses are needed to help train thousands of young people in Bradford.

A new programme to boost career opportunities for 16 to 24 year olds and reduce dole queues has been launched by the Bradford and District Training and Enterprise Council.

But the TEC needs more firms to provide placements.

The organisation has launched an advertising campaign to recruit 3,600 young people to its Training That Pays scheme. TEC head of training and education Mike Lowe said the new venture was ambitious but he added: "We are geared up to meet demand and I'm hopeful young people will come forward in their hundreds to boost their career prospects.

"These high quality training programmes are designed to help them secure the type of jobs they want by acquiring the skills they need and earning a wage at the same time.

"Training That Pays provides the additional incentive many young people need, and each option aims to lead individuals directly into full-time jobs.

"We can always do with more businesses offering places - especially those which lead to full time employment." The scheme is open to people between 16 and 24 and they are given four options. Training Credits are available for 16 to 18 year old school leavers and provide the chance for paid-for training.

National Traineeships are open from 16 to 19 providing NVQs and relevant key skills.

Modern Apprenticeships are training positions for teenagers between 16 and 19 with paid employment in at least 23 different job categories and leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

The final option is New Deal, the Government's new training programme for 16 to 24-year-olds out of work for at least six months.

Help and information are available until the end of the month on Freephone 0800 160017.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.