ASDA’S Get into Retail programme in partnership with The Prince’s ‘Crust is helping young people from Northern Ireland build employable skills.
The latest 17 candidates to take part graduated at a recent ceremony in Stormont Parliament Buildings.
The four-week training programme offered the unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds the chance to gain work experience, accredited skills and retail related training, working across Asda stores in Dundonald, Newtownards, Bangor and north and west Belfast.
Attending the ceremony, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and In-vestment Arlene Foster, said “The Get into Retail programme is an exciting way for young people to pin the experience and personal confidence they need to launch a career in retail.”
One of the new graduates, JP Morrison, said: “The atmosphere in store is fantastic and it really has made coming into work each day a pleasure.”
“I have gained valuable experience.” Charlotte Elliott.
Senior manager for Asda Northern Ireland said: “This programme is a great way of giving young people the opportunity to gain the experience and confidence needed to launch a successful career in retail.”
“It has the added benefit of bringing us into contact with people across Northern Ireland who may not otherwise have applied for a job but whom, nonetheless, have the natural aptitude and enthusiasm to succeed.”
“We have been blown away by the commitment that has been shown by all the participants and will be offering a number of them permanent positions.”
Ian Jeffers, director with The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ire-land, added: “This collaboration is an excellent example of how the voluntary and private sectors can work effectively together to tackle the ongoing problem of youth unemployment.”
“Organisations such as Asda provide vital funding, work placements and jobs that allow us to continue to run our programmes and help us in our work to support over 4,000 disadvantaged young people every year!”