A LEADING local employer has slashed the region’s welfare costs by an estimated £3m since 2007 by uncovering new talent in Northern Ireland.
One of Northern Ireland’s largest employers is continuing to provide valuable career opportunities for the long term unemployed through a ground-breaking recruitment programme.
Firstsource Solutions’ Social Outreach programme focuses on developing potential recruits from the ranks of the long term unemployed and bringing them into customer service advisor roles.
To date over 200 staff members have been recruited through the scheme.
“The success of the Social Outreach programme has reduced the region’s welfare costs by an estimated £3 million since 2007 and we view this as a huge opportunity to uncover new talent and find dedicated staff, which is a benefit to the company,” said Laura Hourican, head of HR, UK and Ireland.
“Firstsource has a strategic partnership with various bodies including Business in the Community, Bridge to Employment, Cresco Trust, North West Regional College and the Department for Employment and Learning. This enables us to help those actively seeking work. The programme develops skill sets in customer services and then we interview candidates for new positions in the company.”
Firstsource centres operate seven days a week according to client requirements and there are many skilled positions open to those who are keen to work in the customer service industry.
Said Victoria Willetts, now a team leader in the Belfast Linenhall centre, joined through the Social Outreach programme.
“I graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in English but was struggling to find permanent employment. I was encouraged to apply for a Bridge to Employment programme at my local job centre. After a brief induction meeting I made it onto an intense three week training scheme.
“The training programme boosted my confidence in many areas including IT skills and communication skills- all of which are essential in the call centre industry. Following successful completion of training, I was lucky enough to get an interview with Firstsource.”
A LEADING local employer has slashed the region’s welfare costs by an estimated £3m since 2007 by uncovering new talent in Northern Ireland.
One of Northern Ireland’s largest employers is continuing to provide valuable career opportunities for the long term unemployed through a ground-breaking recruitment programme.
Firstsource Solutions’ Social Outreach programme focuses on developing potential recruits from the ranks of the long term unemployed and bringing them into customer service advisor roles.
To date over 200 staff members have been recruited through the scheme.
“The success of the Social Outreach programme has reduced the region’s welfare costs by an estimated £3 million since 2007 and we view this as a huge opportunity to uncover new talent and find dedicated staff, which is a benefit to the company,” said Laura Hourican, head of HR, UK and Ireland.
“Firstsource has a strategic partnership with various bodies including Business in the Community, Bridge to Employment, Cresco Trust, North West Regional College and the Department for Employment and Learning. This enables us to help those actively seeking work. The programme develops skill sets in customer services and then we interview candidates for new positions in the company.”
Firstsource centres operate seven days a week according to client requirements and there are many skilled positions open to those who are keen to work in the customer service industry.
Said Victoria Willetts, now a team leader in the Belfast Linenhall centre, joined through the Social Outreach programme.
“I graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in English but was struggling to find permanent employment. I was encouraged to apply for a Bridge to Employment programme at my local job centre. After a brief induction meeting I made it onto an intense three week training scheme.
“The training programme boosted my confidence in many areas including IT skills and communication skills- all of which are essential in the call centre industry. Following successful completion of training, I was lucky enough to get an interview with Firstsource.”
