NatWest creates 150 new contact centre apprenticeships for young people
» In line with National Careers Week, NatWest announce apprenticeships to be rolled out across the UK throughout 2021
» The programme is designed to support talented individuals from economically and socially less advantaged backgrounds
» 150 roles builds on NatWest’s round the clock customer support
NatWest is to launch a new programme giving 150 young people customer service apprenticeships across the UK. The programme will support young people facing barriers in their early career, giving them permanent jobs and the tools and support to succeed.
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.”
