New job scheme launched in Bradford

Unemployed people in Bradford are to have access to volunteering and training opportunities at job centres in the city. Representatives of youth charity The Prince’s Trust and other voluntary organisations will be located at Jobcentre Plus offices as part of a new Government scheme to help the unemployed get back into work. A memorandum was signed yesterday by Darra Singh, Jobcentre Plus chief executive and Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Trust, which helps 4,000 disadvantaged young people in Yorkshire every year, to formalise the partnership between the two organisations. Sam Kennedy, the charity’s regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The Prince’s Trust already works very closely with job centres so this is a natural progression and we are looking forward to building on that so we can help many more disadvantaged people in Bradford. Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who announced the programme, said: “I am delighted that this partnership with The Prince’s Trust and local voluntary sector organisations across the country will mean thousands of volunteering opportunities for jobseekers – for some it will be a chance to get some valuable experience and gain skills after years without work.” For more information about The Trust call 0800 842 842 or go to Princes-Trust.org.uk.