Train operator Greater Anglia has welcomed ten young people onto one of its trainee programmes, helping them enter the world of work.
Selecting ten candidates, all of whom are currently out of mainstream education or employment, to join its Customer Service Traineeship course, the new recruits will go through an eight-week programme offering them work experience placements across the Greater Anglia network.
Combining an education and training, the course is intended to support young people who are looking to develop their skills for apprenticeships, sustainable employment, and further learning.
Greater Anglia’s Customer Service Traineeship course is targeted towards 16-24 year olds.
The scheme is one of a number of initiatives taken by Greater Anglia to help provide young people with the opportunity to develop and gain inspiration and insight about roles within the train operator and wider rail sector.
It also aimed to help open the door to a wider talent pool, helping support greater diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Viktorija Novikova, Greater Anglia’s Talent & Development Projects Coordinator, said, “Over the last four years we have offered traineeship opportunities to young people who are currently out of mainstream education or employment.
“We find that these types of courses can really help to motivate teenagers and young adults through practical work experience and they benefit from getting an insight into the typical tasks they will be expected to undertake in full-time employment.
“We’re really pleased that against all odds and throughout three lockdowns, we were still able to welcome ten young people into our 2021 programme and help them get a great start to their working lives.
“Thank you to our partner and our brilliant customer service managers and supervisors who took part in the enrolment week and are continuing to support trainees during the work placements.”
Above, left to right: Trainees Sumaaz Allahrakha, Dejion Lewis-Ferguson, Kayla Camp and Mussawer Noori at London Liverpool Street station.
The trainees are currently based at Liverpool Street, Chelmsford, Colchester, Bishop Stortford, Harlow Town, Ipswich and Norwich rail stations.
Trainees spend two weeks learning in the classroom followed by two weeks on a work placement at an allocated station where they can shadow customer service colleagues to gain experience of a variety of roles, with successful trainees receiving certification at the end of the course.
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