Hundreds of firms will be helped by a new group set up to boost business in Bradford.

The Bradford personnel and Employment Network is being launched at 7.30pm on Thursday at Valley Parade - the home of Bradford City.

The network has been set up by a new partnership made up of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, Bradford Breakthrough, Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Bradford & District Training & Enterprise Council, the Employment Service and solicitors Hammond Suddards.

Mark Shrives, of the Network Steering Group which is heading up the new organisation, said today: "The purpose of the Network is to provide a forum for employers in the Bradford postal district on personnel and employment issues viewed from the broadest possible perspective.

"As well as members having the chance to network with other organisations to share problems and learn from the experience of others, the Network will also focus on specific issues by way of expert guest speakers."

The Network will go into topics such as:

individual employment rights;

forthcoming employment policies including new legislation;

employment trends, including the current state of the labour market and unemployment;

wage reviews and bargaining;

training and investment in people;

health and safety.

The meetings, which will be held quarterly, will start with a briefing on the Working Time Regulations which will come into effect on October 1.

Mr Shrives added: "These Regulations make major changes to the working patterns which affect all employers. The seminar will explain what they require and highlight the most recent amendments made by Parliament to the previous draft regulations."

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