Partner Article

Telefonica shares skills with local charity

The Canal Boat Adventure Project (CBAP) has for the past 40 years provided disadvantaged young people in Halton and Cheshire with social, well-being and vocational skills and opportunities to reach their full potential.

To achieve this objective CBAP needs to work in conjunction with local schools, local authorities and local businesses to support young people.

Recently, Katie Hughes Cheshire Connect’s Warrington Business Connector, met with CBAP to identify employer link opportunities and this resulted in a project being arranged with Telefonica; one of the largest employers in the area.

As a result, the young people at CBAP will benefit from professional training in Customer Skills from Telefonica staff. The course will take place over a period of six weeks with training sessions lasting for 1.5 hours educating 25 young people at CBAP’s premises and at Telefonica’s offices in Preston Brook.

Telefonica staff will also help the young people to prepare their CVs and will stage “mock” interviews to develop their confidence and equip them with vital interview techniques.

Nigel Garner, Trustee for CBAP commented: “This really is a fabulous, genuine apprentice opportunity that will be so incredible for the young people to experience. In 2014 unemployment in Warrington reached 5.5%, (6000 people) and 3.9% of the 16 – 18 year-olds were not in Education Employment or Training.*

“To think this training may lead to real life work could be life-changing for these youngsters. As a result of this initiative 25 young people will benefit from training which aims to improve their confidence and help them to complete more effective applications for employment.

“The support of Cheshire Connect in actively matching the needs of the charity with the professional support of such a large company has had an amazing impact on the young people who are now looking forward to progressing their work opportunities. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with Cheshire Connect and are very grateful for their positive input to CBAP.”

The staff at Telefonica are looking forward to working with CBAP.

Donna Plumbley, Think Big Manager, explained: “The aim is to show our call centre to 25 young people from CBAP so that they can see first-hand the workings of Halton’s largest private employer.

“We are delivering a new Customer Service workshop to CBAP and mock interviews to the young people so they gain the experience of an interview and help with the preparation and writing of their CVs.

“The benefits of training them in great customer service will impact all aspects of their lives, not just in respect of work but confidence and self-esteem. Developing the emotional and social skills of young people is essential not just in the work place but in their everyday lives.”

Cheshire Connect is keen to hear from local businesses and charities who are interested in exploring opportunities to work together. It’s an effective way of building stronger communities. Please visit the website for further information www.cheshireconnect.org

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jo Craig .