Rochdale Exchange department store praised for work experience initiative

Keith Rudman, Beales Store Director, Jobcentre employee adviser Idris Ali, and Shahida Rashid

Beales, a department store located in the Exchange Shopping Centre in Rochdale Town Centre has been praised for its use of a national work experience programme.

Beales, which currently has a 60 strong workforce, was contacted last year by the Job Centre to see if the company would give a work experience scheme a trial. The trail aims to provide vital hands on work experience for young people who are finding it difficult to find a job.

So far the scheme has successfully helped two candidates gain work experience with the both of them receiving offers for full time jobs at the end of their trial.

Keith Rudman, Store Director at Beales said: “I realised that by trying out the scheme I could give some people the leg up in the world of work they desperately need. I was determined to do things properly and make the whole thing as close as possible to the way we normally appoint people.”

Hina Tanvir was the company’s first person to take part in a work trial and she started with the company in September last year. After completing her eight week work experience programme, Hina was lucky enough to be offered a twelve month contract giving her 30 hours of work a week.

Keith said: “She was made up to get the job and that we had seen what other potential employers had failed to spot in her.”

The company’s second success story is down to the hard work of 21 year old Shahida Rashid. Shahida left Oulder Hill Community School in 2009 and had struggled to find work despite applying for over 100 positions.

Shahida then decided to enlist herself on a college course to study Health and Social Care whilst still applying for jobs. Shahida still had no luck in finding a job after gaining a BTEC in Heatlth and Social so decided to try for retail positions instead.

Shahida took part in the eight week work experience programme and was also offered a twelve month temporary contract giving her 28 hours of work a week.

She said: “I’m really glad that I did the scheme because it has given me the experience that is so valuable when it comes to finding a job. I’d recommend it to anyone. My family are all delighted with the way things have turned out for me.”

Lorenzo O’Reilly, Rochdale Exchange Manager, said: “It is really terrific to hear of the opportunities which Beales has been able to provide these young people who are keen to work and need some help with gaining valuable skills to improve their chances of employment.”

The store is now in the process of recruiting a third young person as part of the scheme.

Jobcentre employee adviser Idris Ali said: “I’m full of praise for the way the scheme is being put into operation by Beales. There are now quite a few companies doing it in Rochdale but I’d say they are one of the best examples of how it can be made a success.

“Companies such as Beales are providing valuable experience which will help young people into work.

“Luckily, Hina and Shahida have both been able to get 12-month contracts with the store after their period of work experience finished.”