Some 45 long-term unemployed now have new jobs thanks to the opening of a new B&M Bargains store in Norwich.
The 45, more than two-thirds of the store’s total staff, all found jobs through employment advice company Ingeus, which delivers the government’s Work Programme in seven regions across England and Scotland helping people get back into work.
They have been recruited to roles including general assistants, warehouse and night team workers, supervisors and managers.
One of the new recruits is cashier supervisor Dominique Walker. She was out of work for five years before being helped by Ingeus to rewrite her CV and application letters. She said she was “shocked and delighted” to get the job just hours after her interview.
Cashier Josef Shore, meanwhile, impressed so much in his interview that he was offered the job straight away. “My academic grades aren’t great and so previously I think employers overlooked my applications,” he said. “Ingeus helped me to promote my skills and qualities in interviews and recommended me to B&M.
“Thankfully Darren [Chase, store manager] saw that and offered me a job, I couldn’t believe my luck. Being involved in the new store opening has been very exciting and really pulled us all together as a team.”
Working again has meant I could recently move house, it’s brilliant to stand on my own two feet again after having to rely on benefits for so long.”Chase added: “For me it was important to give local unemployed people a chance. Sometimes it’s not until you meet an applicant that you can really see their suitability and enthusiasm.”
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