A 'CENTRE of excellence' to boost the number of youngsters training to be health and social care workers has been set up in the district.

It has been launched as a partnership between health trusts, schools and Bradford Council.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford District Care Trust and Parkside School at Cullingworth are among those involved.

The first Industrial Centre of Excellence (ICE) in Bradford district was established in 2013 as a way of plugging gaps in certain industries. Existing centres focus on construction, business and engineering.

The ICE for Health & Social Care aims to help deal with growing skills gaps in the industry, and bring in new blood to help refresh an ageing workforce.

People aged 14-19 are catered for, over different sites, with work placements, business mentoring, visits to local employers and advice on the best way to get a career in their chosen industry.

Since ICEs were founded, over 3,000 students have studied technical-based programmes in the sectors that were deemed as being key to developing future prosperity in the district.

The Health and Social Care ICE kicked off its first programme with 80 students attending a Careers Carousel Exploration Day at the University of Bradford.