Posted: 24/02/14
Free employment training for job-seekers
Job-seekers can sign up for a free part-time course to help them find work in the customer services industry.
Vision Workforce Skills is running a pre-employment programme to equip people with the skills and knowledge to apply for customer-facing job roles.
The six-week course starts on Wednesday 5 March 2014, although people can start any time after this date on a rolling basis.
It will be delivered at the following training centres:
• Birmingham: 2nd floor, Kings House, 127 Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 8LD – contact Greta Hemming on 0121 455 8767 or greta.hemming@vwskills.co.uk
• Bristol: 2nd floor, 101 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6PU – contact Alan Rowlands on 0117 927 7798 or alan.rowlands@vwskills.co.uk
• Manchester: 7th floor, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY – contact Lucille Tomkins or Bernie Linforth on 0161 236 4447 or lucille.tomkins@vwskills.co.uk / bernie.linforth@vwskills.co.uk
• Milton Keynes: 2nd floor, Witan Court, 324 Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 1EJ – contact Jane Kenyon on 01908 674451 or jane.kenyon@vwskills.co.uk
• Newcastle: 2nd floor, 2 Cathedral Square, Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1EH – contact Jill Dawson on 0191 260 5045 or email jill.dawson@vwskills.co.uk
• Romford: 3rd floor, St James House, 27-43 Eastern Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 3NH – contact Angela Carter on 01708 743412 or email angela.carter@vwskills.co.uk
• Sheffield: 4th floor, Milton House, Charter Row, Sheffield, S1 3FZ – contact Lee Green on 0114 272 2646 or email lee.green@vwskills.co.uk
• Southampton: 2nd floor, Grenville House, Nelson Gate, Southampton, SO15 1GX – contact Alice Robinson on 02380 237 162 or email alice.robinson@vwskills.co.uk
The course is open to anybody aged 19 and over claiming unemployment benefits including jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, income support or universal credit.
It runs for almost 16 hours-a-week and teaches the key elements of customer service including responding to queries, understanding people’s expectations and demonstrating appropriate behaviour, along with the basic IT skills required for many positions.
Those successfully completing the programme will achieve the Level 1 BTEC Award in Customer Service with IT.
Participants also have the option to achieve Microsoft certifications that are recognised throughout industry.
The training is funded by the Skills Funding Agency – part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – which means it is free to those that are eligible.
Nicola Gibson, head of IT and digital learning at Vision Workforce Skills, said: “This course is specially-designed to equip people with the skills and knowledge to secure employment within the customer services industry, which is one of the country’s largest employment sectors.
“Learners can study at their own pace and will come away with the confidence to apply for a range of job roles.”
