Bristol's Cabot Circus shopping centre has created 3,780 jobs in the city, according to new figures.

Cabot Circus Jobs, the training and employment partnership for the £500-million development announced the figures for new retail, leisure and hospitality jobs today.

The initiative was set up by Bristol Alliance and West at Work to provide local people with free training, advice and support to help them secure a position at Cabot Circus, which opened in September 2008.

The first set of figures reveal that more than 50 per cent of the new jobs created by Cabot Circus were filled by local people who were previously unemployed within the city.

It also emerged that 26 per cent of those employed were from an ethnic minority background, and 65 per cent of these individuals were previously unemployed.

A 'Jobs Bus' gave advice to more than 10,000 individuals, and 1,400 people also took advantage of the free, training on offer, helping them develop the skills to succeed in work in the Cabot retail environment.

Young people living in the city have also benefited , with 75 per cent of those successful in securing a job aged between 16 and 25.

Councillor Barbara Janke, leader of Bristol City Council, said: "The opening of Cabot Circus has provided a much needed boost to the local economy, and has boosted Bristol's credentials as a leading UK shopping destination.

"Cabot Circus Jobs is an excellent example of partnership working, which has given thousands of individuals – the majority from disadvantaged areas – free support to help them make the most of the opportunities that Cabot Circus has created."

Michelle Poulter, liaison manager for developers the Bristol Alliance commented: "We are delighted with the achievements of the partnership – initial results show that 96 per cent of those securing a job had engaged with the Cabot Circus Jobs team.

"Providing tailored support and giving retailers and job seekers one central point of contact has been pivotal to the success.

"The level of local engagement delivered through Cabot Circus Jobs is unprecedented, and our approach is setting a new industry standard in best practice."

David Draycott, director of West at Work, added: "The findings suggest that the partnership has been particularly successful in attracting candidates who were previously unemployed or not in education and training and supporting them into employment – an excellent achievement.

"The specialist training developed in collaboration with retailers has been invaluable, ensuring that local people were equipped with the right skills."