Office Response launches call centre training college

UK call centre Office Response is ringing the changes for young job seekers in the city following the launch of a new NVQ training scheme. The initiative, which has been backed by the Learning Skills Council (LSC) through the European Social Fund (ESF), will offer 14-19-year-olds better access to employment by giving them the chance to become fully qualified call centre operatives. The first apprentices are due to start the scheme on October 19.

Office Response's NVQ programme is being spearheaded by the firm's directors Martin Blain and Iain McGregor. "We are delighted to be launching the new college," Martin explains. "With unemployment at its highest level for many years, it is essential that local businesses are participating in schemes like this.

Young people have been acutely affected by the current job shortages and lack of training is proving to be one of the substantial barriers to employment. We hope that this scheme will help inspire Bristol youngsters with confidence and give them the skills they need to move forward in their working lives," he said.

Places at the Office Response College are open to 14-19-year-olds who are not in education or training and have not been in employment.

"Each course is designed around each individual's skills, so it can take between 3-9 months to gain the NVQ," Martin said. "The first intake of 20 students are due to start in September and, once they have completed the course, we will be offering jobs to some of the best trainees."

The Office Response College is thought to be the first ESF scheme of its kind to be launched in the UK contact centre industry.

"Working as a call centre operative can offer a highly rewarding career with excellent prospects," Martin adds. "Many of the original team who started out with us 10 years ago have since worked their way up to management positions, or transferred across to other areas of the business.

"Call centre work has had a fairly bad press over recent years; however, it can be a very interesting and varied job, which puts our staff in touch with people from all walks of life," he adds.

Carl Roderick, Managing Director of training specialists Lime, who introduced Office Response to the scheme, said: "We are delighted to be working with Office Response on this initiative. Their proven track record in the contact centre industry built up over the last 10 years makes them an exceptional partner for this project."