A partnership between retail giant Tesco, leading public service provider PeoplePlus, and West Nottinghamshire College will be starting in October – helping adult employment opportunities in customer service.

An industry-recognised Level 1 qualification in Customer Service has been designed in conjunction with the retail store. It guarantees candidates who successfully complete the course an interview for vacancies at the two large Tesco stores in Mansfield on Oak Tree Lane and Chesterfield Road South, or at the New Ollerton or Worksop stores.

Delivered over five days, beginning on Monday, 11th October at the college’s Derby Road campus in Mansfield, the programme will incorporate learning employability and customer service skills along with an introduction to retail principles, personal behaviour techniques for success, how to succeed with CV writing and interview skills, as well as the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker.

The course is open to those aged over 19 and is free for the unemployed and people in receipt of a means-tested benefit or those earning less than £17,374 per year. Following the course, a 16-hour period of work placement will be provided for candidates at the Tesco store of their choice in Mansfield, New Ollerton or Worksop.

The college’s adult and community learning manager, Peter Rowley, said: “This is a brilliant way for individuals wanting to find that route into a rewarding career in retail. This week-long course will provide students with those all-important first skills needed when working in customer service.

“To be guaranteed an interview upon passing this short programme is a really great opportunity for students to impress retail managers at Tesco with their newly-acquired skills.”

Those wishing to apply for the week-long programme should contact Jane Jones at [email protected]  and visit www.wnc.ac.uk/tesco