B&M Norwich creates new careers in store
Forty-five previously unemployed jobseekers are checking out new careers in retail thanks to a newly-opened B&M store in Norwich.
The variety retailer, which opened at Mile Cross Lane Retail Park in July, has partnered with local Work Programme provider Ingeus to recruit more than two thirds of the store’s new team, helping the 45 Ingeus clients to end years of frustrating job searching.
Dominique Walker, 25, and Josef Shore, 26, both from Norwich, who are now happily employed at B&M.
Dominique spent a demotivating five years out of work before bagging a supervisor role at the new store. Ingeus helped Dominique to rewrite her CV and application letters, provided presentation training and vouchers for interview clothes. Within hours of her B&M interview she was “shocked and delighted” to be offered a job as a cashier supervisor.
Her colleague Josef was equally successful when he was called to the B&M interview at short notice. He impressed B&M Branch Manager Darren Chase so much that his interview for a cashier position was cut short and he was offered the job there and then. Josef had previously been out of work for more than a year and now loves the independence and self-respect he has regained by working at the store.
“My academic grades aren’t great and so previously I think employers overlooked my applications,” said Josef. “Ingeus helped me to promote my skills and qualities in interviews and recommended me to B&M. Thankfully Darren saw that and offered me a job, I couldn’t believe my luck!
“Being involved in the new store opening has been very exciting and really pulled us all together as a team. Working again has meant I could recently move house, it’s brilliant to stand on my own two feet again after having to rely on benefits for so long.”
The Norwich store is one of the largest in the B&M group and opened in the premises vacated by electrical retailer, Comet.
B&M has recruited general assistants, warehouse and night-team workers, supervisors and managers via Ingeus. Ingeus’ services are fee-free and 17 of the 45 new recruits are young workers who have been supported by the Youth Contract, a wage incentive for employers taking on unemployed 18-24 year olds on the Work Programme.
B&M has more than 330 stores and has an ambitious new store opening programme. It works with Ingeus across the UK, providing job opportunities for talented, unemployed jobseekers.
Philip Burgess, Group Head of Talent, Marks and Spencer, Julie Elder, Group HR Director, Home Retail Group, Tony Cooke, Human Resources Director, Adidas Group, George Wakely, Director of Retail HR and Shared Services, B&Q, Hailey Wojcik, Human Resources Director – Northern Europe, Groupon are among the expert speakers discussing forward-thing HR issues at the Retail Bulletin’s 5th Retail HR Summit 8th October 2013. Join us for this one-day interactive conference to learn, discover new strategies and network with your peers. Click here for details and registration.
