A CHARITY in Bolton is to provide driver training for an innovative transport scheme aimed at helping unemployed people across Greater Manchester back into work.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has extended its training contract with local charity Bolton Community Transport and Furniture Services (BCTFS) to provide driver training in addition to their original warehouse training contract.

TfGM’s “Train, Learn, Drive and Earn” programme offers two 12-week long courses, either to train as an accredited minibus driver or gain experience in furniture warehousing.

So far the scheme has had a 96 per cent success rate in helping graduates into paid and voluntary employment.

BCTFS general manager Diane Firth said: “We’re pleased to have been appointed to help deliver this driving course.”

TfGM’s head of buses, Howard Hartley, said: “We’ve been impressed with the high quality of training offered by Bolton Community Transport and Furniture Services on our warehouse course. We’re pleased to now extend the contract further and support a local organisation that does such good work.”

Anyone interested in joining the Train, Learn, Drive, Earn scheme should speak to Jobcentre Plus.

The scheme has been developed as part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), which aims to increase access to jobs.