Council and ‘tech’ get local workers jobs

The HARTE programme, delivered in the college over a two week period, involved bespoke training developed to meet the needs of the Hospitality, Retail and Tourism Sectors. The training was then followed by a two-week placement in a relevant sector and employers guaranteed a job interview.

During the two week course participants gained 5 Level 2 qualifications in Customer Care, Hospitality, Tourism, Basic Food Hygiene and Health and Safety.

They were also provided with one to one mentoring and support throughout the programme, help with job search activities, application form completion and interview techniques, and offered financial support for uniforms, childcare and travel.

The high point of the programme was the a guaranteed interview offered by participating employers, resulting jobs for those who were successful.

The HARTE Programme focuses on key skills required for working in a retail, hospitality or tourism environment, and over the last number of weeks all of Kickstart participants attended formal interviews and the outcomes were excellent, 2 participants gained employment in O Brien’s Restaurant, 1 was employed in the Hastings Hotel Group Everglades, 2 were employed in Sainsbury’s and Kickstart is currently negotiating another two positions.

A further two participants left the course early to take up employment, with one in retail and the other in a customer service role.

The remaining participants have been be signposted to further education, for example 5 have expressed an interest in entering into a Catering and Hospitality NVQ Level 3 course while some have expressed an interest in furthering their education in the retail sector.

Derry City Council’s Director of Development Oonagh Mc Gillion said: “This is an excellent example of how targeted training works. Training can be developed to meet the needs of any employment sector including private employers who may have jobs available.

“Kickstart to Work offers a range of services to residents and businesses in the Derry City Council area, helping people match their abilities and interests with jobs or training opportunities and assisting employers in finding the right staff.

“That vision of helping people to identify opportunities in their lives is clearly a shared goal of the Kickstart Programme, and the North West Regional College.”

To find out more about the services provided by the Kickstart to Work team why not drop into Derry City Council to talk to an advisor about job training opportunities in your local area or alternatively contact the Kickstart to Work office on tel. (028) 7130 8466.