Go BackGarlands' volunteers go back to school
Garlands Call Centres has teamed up with Young Enterprise North East (YENE) as part of its Touch programme to give company trainers the opportunity to build their business and communications skills while at the same time helping year 11 students start their business careers.
When YENE approached Garlands for assistance, five Garlands' trainers volunteered to take part in a suite of Enterprise programmes that encourage school students to appreciate their current and future role in society, and raise their aspirations of what they might achieve in the future.
In the first phase of the programme, entitled Personal Economics, Garlands' trainers Ted Corser, Darren Gallagher and Bharwinder Singh taught year 11 students at English Martyrs School about the importance of managing money, job interview techniques, fulfilling their aspirations, and more. Each Garlands' trainer ran a one hour class each week for six weeks earlier this year. Ted Corser said of the sessions, "it was a great learning experience. It gave me the opportunity to interact with an age group I had no experience of dealing with, helping build my general business, teaching and communications skills."
In the second phase of the programme, entitled The Writing On The Wall, Garlands' trainers Sarah Watson and Alfred Mensah will be running classes at the school on debating and ethical issues.
Garlands' Operational Training Manager Andrew Drummond believes that the partnership has been 'win-win' for both Garlands and Young Enterprise North East. "Forging links with our local community, particularly with schools where many of our future employees will come from, is extremely important to Garlands as a major employer in the North East. In giving to the community, we are also getting a lot back. In this case, by presenting our trainers with the opportunity to hone their communication, presentation and general business skills."
Garlands' participation in the Personal Economics programme has already led to a two related opportunities for its volunteers:
Bharwinder, a previous Young Enterprise award winner himself, has contributed to a case study for YENE to assist in attracting other business volunteers.
The team was invited to judge the YENE Regional Trade Fair.
Andrew Drummond was invited to judge the South Area Finals for YENE's flagship company Programme' on April 23, 2008 and presented the 'Best Presentation Award'.
Alison Gittins, YENE's Volunteer Recruitment Manager was full of praise for the three Garlands' trainers that worked on the Personal Economics Programme. She said, "The programme went extremely well and feedback from teachers and students was very positive."
Date - 30/04/2008
