Ten Bradford people who were unemployed only a few weeks ago are now celebrating getting full time jobs - thanks to a passionate Bradford businessman and a Bradford Council job-creation team.

The Big Trader Tile Company has taken on the ten staff after they completed a training course as professional tile fitters.

The firm's owner, Socrates Pantelides, has recently expanded the business to include a tile fitting team and needed to take on ten skilled staff to work in it.

He turned to the Skill School, run by the Council's Kickstart team, which seeks to help aid and support new start up businesses.

Mr Pantelides said: "I am a businessman, first and foremost but I am also passionate about Bradford's future and I am closely involved with Bradford Kickstart and other regeneration bodies.

"We have worked with Bradford training provider Skills School and I trust them to supply us with the right calibre of tiler that we need, in the shortest time possible."

Funding for the tilers' training was provided by employment specialists Reed Recruitment, of Bradford, who are also funding training for other people at the Skills School under the direction of construction and plumbing skills tutor Dave Glendinning.

The tilers' training scheme was co-ordinated by David Leather, Bradford Kickstart's skills counsellor, who believes it will provide "excellent opportunities for other unemployed people in the Bradford District."

Mr Pantelides said: "I could see the potential of the project once I had spoken to the employer and the training provider.

"It just needed the funding to enable the scheme to get off the ground and Reed Recruitment met that need perfectly."

Mr Glendinning added: "Funding is becoming more widely available as Bradford's training needs grow in line with the city's regeneration.

"This type of partnership between employers, fund providers and training organisations will lead directly to higher employment and improved regeneration in the Bradford District."

The Skills School is also working with the Bradford-based Accent Group, which is a partner in Kickstart, alongside Middlebrook Contractors and Nashayman Housing Association, helping them to train staff in repairing and renovating properties to a high standard.

Set up with the £21.4 million Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) grant the city won in 2006, Kickstart provides support from loans to fund start up costs to supplying businessmen as mentors to give them vital advice and help.

Since its inception it has helped start nearly 300 new businesses in the city.