Youth employment plan

This sponsorship will enable 60 young people, aged 16-24, from Hastings, Eastbourne and Bexhill, to take part in the retailRIGHT 10-week development programme, which works to prepare people for a rewarding career in the retail industry.

Previous rounds of the programme across the UK have seen significant numbers of participants securing employment once the course has been completed.

This round of the training and employability initiative will be sponsored by The Lovering Charitable Trust and Polecat Properties.

Through a mixture of classroom-based training and practical work experience with leading retailers, retailRIGHT allows individuals the opportunity to gain the right skills and the right experience to naturally progress into employment within the retail industry.

During their training, young individuals will learn about the retail industry and the skills necessary for this sector, and will then be able to put their newly developed skills into practice, with the opportunity to complete a work placement with leading retail brands including Clarks, Pets at Home and Marks and Spencer.

Eastbourne Aquarium & Reptile Centre, Hastings Furniture Service and Battle Interiors will be providing placements to participants for the very first time.

Dan Shelley, of Sussex Coast College, said: “Sussex Coast College is proud to forge a partnership with the retailTRUST, national and independent retailers and Polecat Properties to develop retailRIGHT programmes for young people aged 16-24 to start their careers in retail, a key employment sector in East Sussex.

“The college will offer apprenticeship opportunities following the successful delivery of programmes in Hastings, Eastbourne and Bexhill as well as supporting the partnership to secure young people for the project.”

Richard Boland, of retailTRUST, said: “We estimate at least 45 per cent of will secure permanent roles in retail.

“Any eligible young person interested in joining the programme should contact [email protected].”

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