A chance visit to a gas showroom has helped a Bradford teenager get his first foot on the career ladder.

Khazim Ahmed, 17, has obtained a permanent contract as an engineer at the Queensbury Gas Showroom after receiving training and support from the YouthBuild project.

It helps provide training and employment opportunities in the construction industry for Bradford youngsters, mainly from ethnic minority groups, who have been struggling to find work.

Khazim became the first trainee through the YouthBuild scheme, delivered by the Bradford & Northern group, to find work with the help of employment officer Chris Ward.

Mr Ward helped find the post for Khazim after hearing an advert for the Queensbury gas showroom. He called in at the showroom to ask managers to give Khazim a chance. The teenager then came through the interview process against 40 other hopefuls.

Khazim, who received tips on interview technique and other advice from YouthBuild, has now been offered a full-time contract following a successful six-week trial. Mr Ward said he hoped it would encourage other firms to give youngsters a chance.

"He was the first trainee who I found a placement for and the first who got an interview, so he is my biggest success story," said Mr Ward.

"It is a real team effort. At the moment, I have 11 other trainees out on placement with firms and I am hopeful that they will follow in his footsteps. Khazim has got this job on his own merits and he has been brilliant."

Khazim, of Idle, said he was delighted to have been given the chance to build a new career. He has been undertaking a variety of projects including fitting central heating and fires.

"It had been hard trying to find an apprenticeship and there were not many places willing to take us on," he said. "But I am really pleased to be here and I enjoy the work."

Hayley Doyle, of the Gas Showroom, urged other companies to consider recruiting graduates of the YouthBuild scheme.

She said: "It is very important that we give everyone a chance. We have been very impressed with what Khazim has done for himself and we are sure he will be here for a very long time."