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Ten local graduates are getting a taster of careers in the housing sector thanks to a new scheme backed by Incommunities.

The Graduate Employment Mentoring (GEM) programme is being delivered by The Centre for Partnership – a partnership between consultants Sutton Smith and Incommunities – and aims to encourage unemployed young people to build successful careers for themselves.

The GEM programme is being run on behalf of Bradford Council with the help of funding from the government’s Working Neighbourhood Fund.

After spending an initial induction period with Incommunities including personal development training, the local graduates are gaining valuable work placement experience in a number of different housing and community organisations. These include Accent, Wates Living Space, Firebird JVC development partnership, the City Centre Project, Smart Moves, Lovell Partnerships Ltd and the Bradford and District Youth Offending Team.

As part of the 14-week programme each graduate takes part in up to three different work placements. It is designed to offer them a varied and challenging time through practical work - from working with homelessness services to getting involved in estate refurbishment work.

The graduates will also learn key management skills in module-based training run by The Centre for Partnership. The training is nationally accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.

During the programme The Centre of Partnership is working with Incommunities’ open field employment service to provide each graduate with one to one mentoring to encourage them to succeed in the jobs market and learn business start up skills.

Ian Brewer, a Sociology graduate, is currently on a placement with Incommunities. He said: “The GEM programme offers a fantastic opportunity. I have previously worked in the charities and banking sectors and this programme will help me to retrain and hopefully build a career in social housing.”

Another placement graduate, Adnan Ud-Din, said: “The programme is a really good way of developing your skills and expertise in the career field you are looking for.”

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Executive, said: “Incommunities is delighted to be playing a key part in this new programme working with Bradford Council and local partners.

“As a major local employer we are committed to supporting Bradford graduates looking to build new careers and hopefully be a part of the district’s economic future.”

Trevor Smith, Director of The Centre for Partnership, said: “This exciting new scheme aims to enhance the career potential of each participant by offering them a high quality programme of challenging work placements and training in project management and management skills.

“The Centre for Partnership is delighted to be working with staff from Incommunities – the area’s biggest social landlord – Bradford Council and a range of local partners.

Coun Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: “This scheme is very welcome in the current economic climate and will hopefully prove to be a valuable tool to enable these young people to find employment and even successful careers.”

John Flower, Project Director of Wates Living Space (North East Region) believes that the programme will have a positive impact on the graduates’ chances of gaining employment. He said: “Wates Living Space is excited to be part of the GEM programme. This programme will provide greatly needed experience and opportunities for graduates living in Bradford who in these tough economic times are struggling to get on the career ladder.”

At the end of the programme, the graduates will host an exhibition for key partners in the housing sector to highlight the skills they have learnt and give their feedback.

Each graduate is supported through the GEM programme with a weekly paid bursary. Any local graduates interested in applying to join the next round of the GEM programme should contact Amanda Livermore at The Centre for Partnership on 0845 660 600.