College course success for call centre jobs (From Warrington Guardian)

College course success for call centre jobs

2:00pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

From left Dwayne Hayward, Adam McGarry, Luke Sampson and Ian Yates

A COURSE is now being offered at Warrington Collegiate to teach people how to work in a call centre.

The eight week training programme is for anyone on Job Seekers Allowance.

It is aimed at the long term unemployed - many who start it have been without a job for several years.

Tutor Mel Cooke said that because so many applications are received for jobs, call centres will only recruit candidates with experience.

She said: “If they just applied to a contact centre without any knowledge they are probably set up to fail.

“It’s a hard industry to get in to, and if they know what’s expected of them they are more likely to succeed.”

Student Mandy Rossington, aged 37, of Old Hall, said: “It’s a catch 22 because they are asking for experience, but without experience you can’t get a job in the first place,” she said.

“This gives you that experience. Now if there are 10 people going for that job, you have a better chance.”

Ian Yates, aged 43, of Oakwood, started the course after being without work since January 2009.

He said: “I thought that by getting an extra qualification it would help me get back into work.

“I want to work in a contact centre so this was the natural course to do.

“I enjoy talking to customers and meeting different people.

The BTEC level 2 contact centre operations course features practical tests speaking on the phone to companies and coursework.

Partners like Golden Gates Housing Trust and General Insurance Distribution give talks and offer office tours.

Visits are also made by employers like Manweb and British Gas.

Students are guaranteed an interview for a job or apprenticeship when they complete the qualification.

Student and Appleton resident Luke Sampson, aged 24, said: “I’m doing it for confidence building and to the learn the tricks of the trades of being on the phone.

“When it comes to interviews for contact centres I’ll have all the of the experience from here that will help me through my career.”

For more information call Warrington Collegiate on 494494.