Photo taken pre-Covid-19
As part of National Careers Week, NatWest announces that it’s set to launch a new programme giving 150 young people customer service apprenticeships across the UK.
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 and bootcamp followed by work experience within 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 are confident, ready and equipped for the workplace. The bootcamp 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. These regions have been selected as areas where youth unemployment is an issue and the impact of COVID-19 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.
This follows NatWest launching a bespoke Digital and Innovation Apprenticeship programme in 2019 designed to support young people from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Simon Separghan, Head of Customer Experience & 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.”
Saima Hamid, an existing Digital & 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.”
