Unemployed locals gain positions at IKEA

Four locals have gained permanent positions at IKEA Birmingham, following a work placement and customer service training offered by the company, in partnership with Job Centre Plus and Walsall College.

The eight-week training gave candidates the skills and experience for future customer service success.

IKEA Birmingham (Wednesbury) is committed to providing its staff with high quality training and actively seeks to get involved with the local community in a range of projects.

Dawn Lloyd, Training and Development Manager for IKEA Birmingham (Wednesbury) said: “Our culture and values are at the heart of everything we do at IKEA and we only work with companies who share our vision. We found this connection with Walsall College.

“The College worked with us and Jobcentre Plus to provide Customer Service NVQs to a group of young people joining IKEA on eight week work placements. The team who delivered the training were brilliant, allowing candidates to practice their customer service skills before working on the shop floor. The training provided us with a group of candidates who had the confidence and the good customer service skills to provide a professional service.

“We took on four people as a result of the scheme, who are now working for the company on a permanent basis. We are now working with Walsall College on a range of projects and recently invited Hospitality and Catering students into IKEA when we held a special event with Gino D’Acampo. I would encourage other employers to get involved with Walsall College. You get a professional service, tailored to the organisation’s needs.”

Walsall College provides a range of employment services to assist businesses with recruitment and redundancy training needs, in the challenging financial climate.

The bespoke solutions we offer employers include assistance with the selection of candidates, provision of venues and staffing for recruitment events, and training for staff at risk from redundancy.

The College also offers customised pre-recruitment training packages and employment services, providing potential applicants with CV writing and interview techniques skills, and providing employers with recruitment support.

To find out more, please contact our Business Training Solutions team on businesstrainingsolutions@walsallcollege.ac.uk