Member Article

Making a difference for young job seekers

In response to demand in the Tees Valley, a Darlington charity is organising a short course that will make a real difference to young people looking for a job.

Citizens Advice Darlington, which is one of 27 partners involved in the £19.29m Tees Valley Pathways & Routeways Youth Employment Initiative Programme, is organising a telephone skills course supporting young people who want to find a job, move into self-employment or training.

Young people aged 15 to 29 across the Tees Valley who sign up for the free programme will gain the knowledge and skills employers are demanding and they will also be able to access a Flexible Learning and Skills Fund, which means that if they meet the criteria, travel costs will be paid.

Neeraj Sharma, chief executive of Citizens Advice Darlington, said: “This course will give young people some live work experience, as well as essential skills. It is an opportunity to kick start a career in a call centre, reception or administration.”

There will be eight sessions, including working in a live call centre setting, which will give people the experience needed to find a job in the telephone call centre industry and help build confidence and skills for handling telephone calls more professionally in whatever career they opt for.

The course will cover professional telephone techniques and call handling etiquette, with an emphasis on customer service. Those attending will also learn how to deal with challenging callers and improve their listening skills.

Mr Sharma said: “The essential skills that the course will provide will stand young people in good stead for future employment.”

Those who sign up for the telephone skills course, which will start on Wednesday, November 16 at Citizens Advice Darlington, will be able to access funding for interview outfits, training course fees and childcare costs.

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways Youth Employment Initiative Programme is being managed by Hartlepool Borough Council. The Youth Employment Initiative is part-funded by the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England with the Department of Work and Pensions as the managing authority.

Anyone who would like to enrol on the course is asked to call Rachel Wearmouth on 01325 256999, extension 110, or email rachel.wearmouth@darlingtoncab.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Citizens Advice Darlington .