College boost for new Debenhams

Telford College has helped retailer Debenhams to recruit and train colleagues for its new store in Wolverhampton.

The college’s pre-employment team was approached by the city’s Jobcentre Plus to run an event for potential staff at the 93,000 sq ft store in the Mander Centre, which opened on October 12.

More than 130 job seekers attended the event, at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium, which was described as a great success. 

Craig Howard, business development manager at Telford College, said: “We put together a pre-employment programme which gave potential staff members chance to find out more about the industry.

“They were also able to learn more about Debenhams, and achieve three relevant qualifications, including level two retail and customer service.

“A total of 73 people joined us for the two-week programme. More than half made it through to a telephone interview with Debenhams, and many continued on to an in-store interview. Several were offered jobs.”

Farouk Mangera, head of HR for UK stores at Debenhams, said: “Our colleagues are part of what makes Debenhams a great place to shop for our customers.

“Telford College were a great help in recruiting a number of customer service superstars who will be working across the fantastic fashion, beauty and home departments in store, and they can’t wait to meet our new customers.”

It is the latest high-profile contract for Telford College’s pre-employment team, which also held a recruitment event for Cosma Casting, which is opening a new manufacturing facility in the town.

The team also helped to train hundreds of warehouse workers operating at sites across the West Midlands, including Jaguar Land Rover’s engine plant just off the M54.

Picture: (From left) former Wolves FC captain Jody Craddock, Ann Guest and the Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Wolverhampton officially opening the store