Press Release - 9 February 2006

Latest figures show initiative to cut region's South Asian unemployment exceeding expectations

An initiative to cut unemployment and economic activity among the region's South Asian communities launched last December has exceeded expectations, latest figures show.

The figures, produced by Bradford based charity Quest for Economic Development (QED), show that between October and December 2005, 149 individuals from Yorkshire and Humber's Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities signed up for the 'Narrowing the Gap' initiative, with nine already having found employment.

'Narrowing the Gap' aims to secure employment for 500 of the region's South Asians by 2008 and offer mentoring and support to a further 1,500 by the same date.

Supported by the Department for Work and pensions, QED has been awarded £1.5m from the Treasury's 'Invest to Save Fund' to co-ordinate the initiative.

QED is working with community groups, job centres and local businesses in Bradford, Keighley, Leeds, Rotherham, and Sheffield to identify unemployed South Asians.

Once signed up to the initiative, individuals are encouraged to develop their skills by enrolling on ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses and taking part in IT training.

The charity is also actively engaging with employers in Yorkshire and Humber, through Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors, to increase the understanding of Bangladeshi and Pakistani faith and culture in the workplace.

Chief executive of QED, Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, says: "We are thrilled by the success of 'Narrowing the Gap' so far. There has been a great response but we still have a long way to go to reach our final target. The purpose of the initiative is to give unemployed South Asians in the region new skills and an improved self-confidence which they can take to employers. Now we have to take the message to employers that people of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin offer a wealth of talent to the region's workforce. QED is here to help unlock that potential."

Latest figures obtained from the DWP for Yorkshire and the Humber show that in June 2005, 57 per cent of Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in Yorkshire and Humber were unemployed or economically inactive compared to only 24 per cent of the wider community in the region.

For further press information contact or Simon Collister or Scilla Baldwin at Cicada Public Relations Limited on 01423 567111. Alternatively, email simon@cicada-pr.com or scilla@cicada-pr.com.