Employability Academy

AFTER four weeks of learning, 10 unemployed Dundonians have been offered job interviews with one of the city’s largest private sector employers.

Every participant in the recent Discover Work Partnership academy at Dundee and Angus College will be interviewed by BT/EE.

Steven Rome, depute convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “The highly practical, custom-made and rigorous way that the Discover Work academies are run is consistently bearing fruit for employers and for people looking for a job.

“Discover Work generates links between those who want a job and companies who are seeking employees so that everyone benefits and I am very pleased to see another successful course completed.”

Delivered by Dundee and Angus College the academy offered unemployed people the opportunity to receive essential practical skills in an office environment including communication, handling client enquiries, using listening skills and interview skills.

Support was also on offer from key participants in the partnership for personal development such as digital skills, managing personal circumstances, employer expectations and financial advice.

BT/EE also hosted site visits and offered an insight into what it is like to work for the company.

Scott Graham who took part in the academy said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for me, the course is perfectly tailored to starting a new job in a contact centre environment. Not only is the content relevant it’s all delivered in a really supportive way as well.”

Another participant, Rabi Ahman added: “It was a wonderful experience meeting great people and learning from them and acquiring skills from experts in customer service.”

Adam Wright, BT operations manager said: “It’s been great being able to work directly with the local community and college to help people into work with a course on which they can learn the skills required to work in an office environment, while also helping them with soft skills.

“This will hopefully lead to long term employment and growing careers for those involved.”

The BT/EE Academy is the latest in a number of successful events with specific employers in which the Discover Work Partnership has worked with unemployed residents to support them back into the workforce.