A new partnership between First Bus and WomenZone, a Bradford-based community organisation, is already helping to transform lives by giving women from ethnic minority backgrounds the tools and confidence to take their first steps into the world of work.
The collaboration, which focuses on addressing barriers to employment, has brought targeted training, mentoring, and practical workshops to women in the city. From interview preparation to insight sessions on careers in engineering and driving, the initiative has given participants both the skills and self-belief to pursue new opportunities.
So far, 15 women have applied for apprenticeships with First Bus, while others have gained the confidence to explore careers in different sectors.
One of the women, Ayesha, credited the interview workshop with helping her secure a new job. “The First Bus workshop helped me practice answering questions and build confidence for my first real interview,” she said. “I now have a job in the warehousing department at Greggs, and I’m really proud.”
Another participant has since found employment in the care sector, saying the skills she learned through the sessions directly contributed to her success.
Mazish Ahmed, Operations Manager at WomenZone, described the impact as “profound.” She said: “This partnership has boosted confidence and provided tangible skills that are already changing lives. It’s also showing our wider community what’s possible with the right support and opportunity.”
As part of the next phase, First Bus is planning a series of career-awareness sessions at its Shared Services Centre in Leeds. These will introduce women to office-based roles in customer service, HR, procurement, and retail development—expanding horizons beyond traditional industries.
Mubs Mahmed, Community & Social Value Partner at First Bus, said: “The drive and resilience shown by the women involved has been truly inspiring. While it’s encouraging that some are now considering roles with us, we’re equally proud that others have used these skills to find their path in different sectors. That’s the true measure of success.”
WomenZone is one of several grassroots organisations First Bus is working with across the region. The company’s broader social value work is focused on supporting marginalised communities with lifeskills, career development, and youth engagement—opening doors that may once have felt closed.
