A new initiative which aims to turn young people from disadvantaged communities into entrepreneurs was being launched in Bradford today.

The West Yorkshire Enterprise Networks project - the brainchild of Bradford-based economic development organisation QED-UK - will target young people, teachers, youth workers, women and ethnic communities to teach them business skills.

The scheme, funded by the Young People's Enterprise Forum, has set up partnership groups in Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield and Keighley.

Enterprise management guru David Hall, speaking at today's launch at the Carlisle Business Centre, said: "I applaud this initiative wholeheartedly.

"Enterprise is the lifeblood of the country. Everybody has enterprise inside them just waiting to be discovered and nurtured."

The Sangat Centre in Keighley is one of the partnership groups.

Ghulam Rabani, deputy manager at Sangat, said: "We are really looking forward to taking part in the project. It will be a great opportunity for young people to learn from others and develop their enterprise skills and potential."

The networks project is based on research which found that many young people are turned off by formal classroom learning.

It aims to help turn youngsters into entrepreneurs through informal learning, helping youngsters start-up businesses by providing help, information and mentors.

Other partnership groups include Youth Development Project in Bradford, Leeds Community Enterprise, Bradford Business Education Partnership and Pakistan Community Alliance in Huddersfield. Meetings at the organisations are to take place early next year which will lead to enterprise action groups being set up.

Mohammed Ali, chief executive and founder of QED, added: "We all need young people to succeed.

"If they want to start up businesses, help is at hand. If they want to train their minds to work creatively and in enterprising ways, we will support them."