A group of youngsters has completed the first stage in a project which aims to get ethnic minorities jobs.

The YouthBuild Finance and Business scheme, backed by Baildon-based social housing firm B&N, aims to help 16 to 21 year olds gain employment by boosting their skills.

The youngsters, who will go on an outward bound course next week, will spend the last four months of the scheme in work placements.

The group, which has finished the personal development stage of the scheme, was presented with certificates by Martin Kelly, chief executive of B&N, at a ceremony at Abbey National's regional headquarters on Nelson Street.

Mr Kelly said: "B&N is involved in this groundbreaking initiative because it has a commitment to the community.

"Obviously we couldn't do this alone, and we've had great help from a variety of organisations, a lot of people are committed to making sure this succeeds."

Organisations offering work placements to the group include B&N, Abbey National, Yorkshire Building Society and Bradford University.

Murahd Khan, 20, applied for 40 jobs with no success. He found he had the qualifications but not the experience which firms require.

He said the course was an ideal way to get experience.

Nageena Hussain, 18, has applied for 15 jobs with little success. She explained: "The beauty of this course is that it comes as a package, we develop our personal skills, have a personal mentor, gain an extra qualification and get a valuable four-month work placement which will hopefully lead to employment."

Anthony Turbitt, operations manager for Abbey National, added: "We quite often get graduates who have a lot of qualifications, but not practical experience, the beauty of this course is the practical job experience."

Sarnjit Kaur, diversity manager for Abbey National, added: "This project highlights the excellent work which both Abbey National and other major companies are undertaking in the Bradford area to recruit a workforce which reflects the local population."