Free BT work placements to help Norfolk youngsters get 'work ready'

Young unemployed urged to sign up now for next month’s course

BT is offering free work placements to help young people in Norfolk get ‘work ready’ and prepared for their future careers.

The three-week course, combining hands-on work experience with coaching and training, is open to anyone aged 18 to 24 not currently in education, employment or training.

Work placements are a great opportunity for people to build confidence and learn practical work skills such as CV writing and interview techniques. Although the course does not carry a formal qualification, attendees are given a certificate showing their attendance and achievements to demonstrate their commitment to prospective employers.

The next local course is at BT’s Russel House, St Andrews Street, Norwich, NR2 4AE - from October 9 to October 27. For more details or to apply visit www.bt.com/workready.

The first week of the course is mainly office based and focuses on building and developing practical work skills. This is followed by a week ‘on the job’, shadowing employees and getting hands on experience of the working day.

The final days of the work placement are spent doing mock interviews and a day assessment as well as developing an individual plan of the next steps to find employment or return to education.

Tim Whitley, chair of BT’s East of England regional board, said: “BT work placements give local, young people the opportunity to experience the working day and gain invaluable insight of what is expected in the workplace.

“There will be more opportunities to join a work placement in various East of England locations in the future, so even if someone can’t attend this course I’d encourage them to register their interest to make sure they don’t miss out.”

BT work placements are part of the BT Work Ready programme which is a series of initiatives provided to help young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain employment skills and get them ready for work. It’s part of BT’s commitment as a founding partner in the Movement to Work coalition of employers.**

Further information on BT’s Work Ready programme – www.bt.com/workready