Get Into Retail: pic Prince's Trust
Job training at Stratford’s new Westfield shopping centre could be yours if you are unemployed, between 16 and 25 and live in Tower Hamlets.The Prince’s Trust, in partnership with training organisation Seetec and the Swan Foundation, has created a new initiative that will help unemployed young people get into work.
The course, a two-week Get Into Retail Programme, is designed to give unemployed 16-25-year-olds, from Tower Hamlets and Newham, an opportunity to learn new skills.
Natalie Ross, acting London director for The Prince’s Trust said: “The opening of Westfield Stratford City will create new jobs for East London and we want to make sure that unemployed young people are able to make the most of these opportunities. ”
The course will be run by Seetec, one of the UKs leading employment and training providers. According to The Prince’s Trust, the programme will be funded by The Swan Foundation, the charitable arm of the Swan Housing Association. It will offer young people an insight into working in the retail industry.
Seetec’s CEO, Jeremy Nutter said: “We will be delivering a course that will have sessions and activities to develop participants’ vocational skills and experience that will equip them for sustainable work within the retail industry.”
A spokesperson for Swan Housing added: “For the Swan Housing Association, regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar, but working with communities to transform their prospects through both the physical and socio-economic regeneration of the urban environment”.
Naushad Ahamadally from Lambeth has been on a similar course, Get into Cooking, which gives disadvantaged young people the skills and experience they need to work in the food industry.
He said: “I loved the course. It was based at Mosimann’s, a private dining club in London. We cooked a few dishes, designed our own menu and experimented with flavours. It re-lit my desire for cooking again. It opened my eyes about the possibilities of being a chef – something I’d always dreamed of, but never thought I’d be able to achieve.”
Participants in the Get Into Retail Programme will receive training from industry experts and complete a work placement at a local retail outlet. CV and interview techniques are also an integral part of the course and young people will receive six months mentoring support after the course ends, to help them into work or training.
The course is free and will run at the Westfield Stratford City from 19 – 30 September. If you are interested, contact Phil Curtis on 0207 543 1409 or philip.curtis@princes-trust.org.uk before 12 September.
