The search is on in the local community for three apprentices to take up posts at White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. Total facilities management provider, OCS, is offering three apprenticeships as part of a nationwide roll-out which will see 600 places offered to young people throughout the UK over the next two years.
The three Leeds-based apprentices will start work in September 2013. OCS is offering the successful candidates training to Level 2 of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Certificate in Facilities Services. The training programme includes modules on administration, customer service, cleaning and security. The pay for the 12 month long apprenticeships will be £3.50 per hour, which is more than the current National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. OCS plans to offer full time roles to all who successfully complete the apprenticeship period.
OCS began working at the White Rose Shopping Centre in November 2012 and a commitment to training local young people was part of the company’s bid to Land Securities, the owner of the asset. Beyond Leeds, OCS is exploring other opportunities for collaboration with Land Securities to cascade the apprenticeships scheme throughout those shopping centres in its portfolio across the country where OCS provides services.
“OCS is committed to making a positive contribution in all the areas in which we operate. OCS is running this project in Leeds as part of our national Reach Out programme to offer training and jobs because we care about the community and also because we are a services business which needs great people to deliver top quality service to our clients,” said Jayne Gardiner, Client Relationship Director at OCS Group.
OCS is now working with Land Securities across the UK to explore further apprenticeship programmes which reach out to young people and help to recruit and develop local talent
“Beyond providing top quality facilities support to our White Rose Shopping Centre, OCS has experience in designing and delivering successful apprenticeships. This ensures OCS and Land Securities have talented people to deliver outstanding services in Leeds and elsewhere – and a sustainable business that is based on offering training and development to local people,” said Dean Stratton, White Rose Shopping Centre Manager.
Applications can be made online at www.ocs.co.uk/careers or by visiting The Point training and development centre at White Rose or The Job Centre Plus office at 88 Queen Street, Morley.
The closing date for applications is 9 August.
