A MAJOR scheme to boost ethnic employment in Bolton was launched at a multicultural dinner at the Reebok Stadium.

The Minority Ethnic Employment Outreach Service will be funded over the next two years by a grant worth nearly £250,000 from the Government's Department of work and Pensions.

It is part of a £15 million Government pilot focused on high unemployment areas in the five main conurbations which contain 85 per cent of the ethnic minority population -- Greater London, East Midlands, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

The minority ethnic employment rate is significantly lower than that of the white population (58.2 per cent compared with 75.7 per cent).

Bolton's project will be run by Bolton Council's award-winning Ethnic Minorities Business Service (part of the Regeneration and Economic Development Division) supported by jobcentreplus, the Government's revamped employment and benefits service.

It is designed to assist jobless individuals from minority ethnic groups in the target wards of Derby, Daubhill, Burnden, Halliwell and Central, where unemployment can be three times higher than average.

Evidence suggests they are at a disadvantage in the labour market for reasons which include a failure of previous employment programmes, employer discrimination and lack of access to vacancies filled through informal networks.

Outreach workers will deal with individuals, groups and businesses with a view to promoting New Deal and other employment initiatives leading to good quality, sustainable employment.

Initiatives will include seminars promoting equal opportunities and diversity polices, culture awareness training and advice on appropriate legislation.

Seminars are being held on June 18, June 25, July 2, July 3, July 10 and July 17.

There will be regular and continuous contact with employers to identify employee skills requirements, job vacancies and placement opportunities.

Sikander Badat, Head of the Ethnic Minorities Business Service, introduced a series of speakers and entertainers to nearly 300 guests at what was described as Bolton's first multi-cultural business dinner.

Representatives from ethnic and mainstream businesses were among those who enjoyed the curry and samosas while absorbing the simple message that Bolton as a whole can benefit from embracing diversity.

A key aspect will be making sure that this concept of diversity and equal opportunity, which can boost profits, is delivered to minority ethnic businesses as well as those in the mainstream.

Mr Badat said in a letter in advance of the dinner: "The aim is to ensure that the minority ethnic businesses begin to recognise their responsibilities in promoting diversity and equal opportunity and become aware of their legal and civic duties."

One of the speakers, 24-year-old Yaseer Ahmed, made an impassioned plea for unity and the opportunities it could bring in his home town of Bolton.

Mr Ahmed is chief executive of Derby Firelec -- the current Ethnic Business of the Year. He said his staff of seven spoke five languages and they "understood each other's prayer and eating requirements. We need to give the people of Bolton a chance," he said.

Cllr John Walsh, the Mayor of Bolton, said Bolton had a long and proud multi-cultural history and he supported this attempt to bring all groups and individuals together to add to the skills and breadth of resources in the borough.