New employment programme launches at Rushden Lakes

The two-week programme, which will focus on preparing people for a range of opportunities in the hospitality sector, is part of its Recruit Rushden initiative and will be delivered in partnership with Tresham College and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The course kicks off on Monday, February 3, and will run until Friday, February 14, at Canoe 2 at Rushden Lakes.

It is designed to give participants the chance to gain accredited qualifications and industry knowledge of the hospitality sector, alongside support on essential employability skills. These will include interview techniques, CV writing and customer service. Various Rushden Lakes retailers will also be involved and looking to offer interviews for vacancies as part of the programme.

Donna French, Rushden Lakes Centre manager, said: “As a key player in Northamptonshire’s retail and leisure market we feel it’s our responsibility to ensure we make a positive impact in the local community. We’re delighted to be working with Tresham College and the DWP to bring together a team of employment experts to help people who need it most.

“This programme builds upon recent work we’ve carried out through our partnership with DWP when seven young people completed a mentoring programme, after which several secured work experience or employment.”

Last July Recruit Rushden, with the DWP, delivered a successful Mentoring Circles programme, which consisted of three dedicated workshops, which focused on CV writing, interview techniques as well as an employability motivation session.

Nialla, a young woman from Northamptonshire, was one of seven young people to complete the course who hoped to eventually find a role that would suit them.

Struggling to find her place in the world of work and managing occasional anxiety, Nialla thrived under the guidance of the tutors attending all three sessions. She engaged well throughout the programme and subsequently, she was placed in a sales assistant position at the Hotter Shoes retailer at Rushden Lakes.

Flourishing in her role, she has now had more than 13 weeks employment.

Christina Pratt, workplace co-ordinator for the Recruit Rushden programme, said: “All seven participants were a pleasure to work with and showed great enthusiasm. Nialla especially enjoyed the sessions and fully participated in them. She found the mentors very helpful and informative, gaining confidence across the board. As a result, she has shown herself to be incredibly capable and we’re absolutely thrilled of her success at Hotter Shoes. She thoroughly deserves it.

“As a key retail destination in the area, it is vital that, in working with our stores, we give continued assistance to local job seekers in helping them find vacancies, providing them with training programmes and workplace mentoring so they can find the right role for them.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the programme shoud contact Liz Bowser at [email protected] or call on 01536 413033 or 07711 385662.