Preparing Caia Park Communities First residents for the retail boom

Caia Park Communities First has supported and trained over 50 local residents on how to improve their skills in gaining employment in local retail outlets, in particular with the development of the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre. Of those supported, 24 were able to successfully obtain employment, 14 accessed education or additional training and 1 is taking a work placement with a major supermarket.

Complementing the Communities First Vision Framework: The project mainly supports the Jobs, Business and Income Generation Theme of the Vision Framework.

The retail training project provided through Caia Park Communities First consisted of four courses, with each one lasting 10 weeks and each course training a minimum of 10 participants. Whilst the emphasis of the course was tailored towards the needs of the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Caia Park Communities First did not forget that there would be a large number of back filled jobs once recruitment for the new shops had taken place.

Caia Park Communities First quarterly newsletter “Communities 1st” publicised the training courses to over 5,000 households within the community. The project received a large number of enquiries resulting in a waiting list for the courses. Potential participants were visited to assess their motivation and commitment to the training programme and the potential in securing employment. The first training course ran in February 2008 and had proved to be a huge success with the participants who completed their training in May that year. The second course within the programme started at the end of May 2008, the third in September 2008, and the fourth and final course in May 2009.

The project target was to assist participants to gain full or part-time employment by working in partnership with Job Centre Plus, Working Links, Caia Park Partnership, and the local authority. The Open College Network (OCN) accredits the courses and participants receive an OCN Certificate in Retail and Customer Care alongside other certificates for their achievements on the course.

The project supports the Jobs, Business and Income Generation Theme of the Communities First vision Framework by identifying an opportunity to generate and sustain employment opportunities locally through the regeneration of the city centre retail markets. The project also supports the Jobs, Business, and Skills Theme of the Caia Park Communities First Strategy and Action Plan, which addresses issues around economic activity and inactivity. 

As well the training programme, the project had other outcomes, including promoting retail opportunities at local jobs fairs. As part of Debenhams national recruitment process, Caia Park Communities First attended the Jobsfair in Wrexham in July 2009 along with other retailers. Debenhams also held an open day, with Caia Park Communities First arranging the event through partnership working with high street retail companies.   

Overall the project has been an unqualified success. A total of 52 residents enrolled on the courses. Of these, 24 were able to obtain employment and 14 accessed education or additional training, and 1 is taking a work placement with Sainsburys. 13 residents are either engaged in voluntary work, are taking part in the Job Preparation Course with Debenham’s or are actively seeking employment. Wrexham ITEC have approached Caia Park Communities First to look at further training for the retail candidates to keep them engaged and boost their confidence in the interim whilst seeking employment. Caia Park Communities First has been able to develop links with a variety of large retail companies and now, in view of the current economic climate, are developing links with the major supermarkets in the town to continue the sustainability of the project outcomes.

Sue Parry, Regeneration Officer, Caia Park Communities First

Tel: 01978 314094     

Comments