#contactcenterworld, @natwest_help

London, UK, March, 2021 -- NatWest has created 150 new apprenticeship positions to help support young people facing barriers early on in their careers.

The banking provider said the roles will be at its contact centres and will be rolled out at sites across the UK by the end of the year.

The programme is designed to support talented individuals from economically and socially less advantaged backgrounds, giving them permanent jobs and "the tools and support to succeed".

Between 15 and 25 roles will be created in each location, which include centres in Bolton and Liverpool, with the move coming ahead of National Careers Week.

Simon Separghan, head of customer experience and contact at NatWest, said: "National Careers Week is a time to encourage young people to stop, pause and think about their future careers. By championing the potential of young people in potentially difficult or dire situations through our partnership, we aim to provide the skills and support needed to set them up for success in their future careers."

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Through the new apprenticeships, NatWest will further develop its helpline services for customers and have agents on hand for more complex queries.

The bank recently extended its dedicated support line to the over 60s, which was previously for over 70s, and also extended its dedicated NHS staff line to include social care workers.

The apprentices will join a two-week preparation bootcamp followed by work experience at the bank’s contact centre.

The bootcamp will offer a combination of pastoral support, employment skills, and personal and professional opportunities to ensure young people ready for the workplace.

It will be in partnership with Leadership Though Sport and Business (LTSB), a social mobility charity.

The opportunities will be open to young people aged 16-24 in Belfast, Bolton, Edinburgh, Greenock, Liverpool and Southend and will be rolled out in waves throughout 2021.

By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy.

The regions have been selected as areas where youth unemployment is an issue and the impact of the pandemic has hit young people disproportionately.

NatWest will focus on support in particular for those identified as being eligible for free school meals, live in areas of deprivation and face multiple barriers to employment and career opportunities.

Saima Hamid, an existing digital and technology degree apprentice, said: "The LTSB Bootcamp is career changing.

"It equips you with essential employability skills that would be required in any role as well as essential soft skills. It allows you to meet professionals from several different backgrounds and roles, giving you a detailed insight of what it’s like working in a business environment."

#contactcenterworld, @natwest_help

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: https://www.business-live.co.uk