10 Sep 2014
Places for People Traineeships Programme
BY Tim Nash
Places for People Leisure recently ran a highly successful Traineeship in Wandsworth, supported by Lifetime Training, helping a number of local young people secure employment at their sites.
Traineeships are an exciting new government initiative that help young people aged 16-24 years old to take their first steps into the world of work. The 12 week training programme builds in a mix of classroom study and practical work placement.
The first group of 11 Trainees completed their Traineeship this Summer. The aim was to immerse Trainees in all the daily aspects of a given centre so that in future they become more valuable team members.
Rhys Holder, 20 from Croydon took part in the Places for People Leisure Traineeship programme. "Sport is all I know so the fitness Traineeship made a lot of sense to me. I appreciate it could take 1-2 years to become a Fitness Instructor but I'm prepared to put in the hard work," he said.
Following his Traineeship, Rhys started casual gym instructor work at Wandle Leisure Centre.
Natasha Gurney, General Manager, Wandle Recreation Centre was delighted with Rhys' development: "Rhys was very polite, professional and enthusiastic and has been very committed throughout the training. He worked well with the team on site and fitted in really well and got work experience across the business: in the gym, sales and operations departments. He's now on our payroll, covering shifts as a Fitness instructor and Leisure Assistant."
On completion of his Traineeship, Marcus Millington has joined Balham Leisure Centre and is currently undergoing a lifeguard course. Steve Warren, General Manager, Balham Leisure Centre said: "Marcus is a very personable chap, well liked at the centre by customers and staff alike. He displayed a steely determination to learn to swim and with our guidance and support, has achieved the distance required to secure a place on the next NPLQ course."
When Marcus passes his NPLQ, he will be offered an opportunity to work at Balham as a casual lifeguard initially with a view to leading to a full time position.
He added: "It's really down to us to help develop the Trainees in a way that will see them secure a job. The plan is they'll come away with a great reference and ideally a position at this site or within the Group."
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