A partnership between First Bus and a Bradford charity has helped women from ethnic minorities gain career confidence, it has been revealed.

The bus operator joined forces with WomenZone, a charity-based community centre, to provide support including one-to-one mentoring, interview skills, and tailored training.

This initiative aims to break down employment barriers.

Following a series of workshops at First Bus’s Leeds depots and the Hubert Street community centre, 15 women applied for apprenticeships in engineering and driving.

Others were inspired to explore job opportunities in different sectors.

Ayesha, a participant, said: “The First Bus interview skills workshop helped me to confidently answer questions, practise my interview technique, and deliver a successful interview.

“I now have a job working at Greggs factory and warehousing department.”

Mazish Ahmed, operations manager of WomenZone, said: “This partnership with First Bus has had a profound impact already, boosting confidence and providing invaluable tools for career success for the women who took part.”

First Bus is now planning a series of sessions at its Shared Services centre in Leeds.

These will cover customer services, HR, procurement, and retail development to help improve understanding and awareness of office-based roles and employment skills.

WomenZone is one of several social value projects First Bus is partnering with to support life skills, careers, and youth opportunities.