BOSSES behind a pre-employment training scheme say it has helped more than 60 people into work in just six months.
The Intu Academy, launched in May, is a joint venture between Intu Properties, which operates the MetroCentre and Eldon Square, and Gateshead College.
The three week programme, designed by the college, includes an introduction to retail skills, service, team work and interviews.
More than 25 retailers at the MetroCentre and Eldon Square are supporting the academy, with people offered jobs at firms including Collectables, Debenhams, Greggs and Primark.
Michael Nixon, from Gateshead, signed up to the Intu training programme and is now working for Collectables.
He said: “Toys R Us, HMV and Collectables were all interested in taking me on, but I went for Collectables as they were offering the chance of more hours.
“The training gave me a good head start over other jobseekers and the college tutors helped me re-build my self-belief and gain skills.”
Tracy Allison, Intu Academy's project manager, added: "This partnership is providing the context for job seekers and retailers to find the right people for the right job at the right time."
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