A group of unemployed Bradford people have been offered training, jobs or support in becoming self-employed, thanks to a new partnership co-ordinated by Bradford Kickstart Skills Counsellor, David Leather.

David has brought together local employers, a skills training school, and the Bradford branch of a national recruitment company willing to provide funding.

One of these local employers is Socrates Pantelides from his Bradford-based Big Trader Tile Company. Having expanded his company to include tile fitting, Socrates Pantelides now needs to recruit 10 tilers and is keen to offer training to unemployed people.

Dave Glendinning, proprietor of the Skills School in Bradford, has the experience and facilities to provide training in tiling, as well as for plumbing and plastering.

And Maria Bevan, centre manager of Reed in Partnership, Bradford, is able to provide funds for training in construction and maintenance skills.

As a result of their partnership, six people have now been trained as tile fitters, two have already been given jobs with the Big Trader Tile Company and others are being advised on how to start their own business. In addition, a second training course is already being planned.

For more information contact Dave Leather, Kickstart's Skills Counsellor, who works with Careers Bradford. His e-mail address is dave.leather@careersb.co.uk.

Pictured at the Skills School in Bradford, are (left to right): Habib Rehman, trainee tiler; Socrates Pantelides, proprietor of the Big Trader Tile Company, Bradford; Steven Liversedge, trainee tiler; Maria Bevan, of Reed in Partnership, Bradford; David Leather, Bradford Kickstart’s Skills Counsellor; Deana Keach, trainee tiler and David Glendinning, proprietor of the Skills School.