Congratulations to our Emmaus companions who achieved City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ certificates in Customer Service, delivered by Ken Bates Associates at Emmaus Department Store.
The course provided practical learning alongside the day-to-day work experience people supported by Emmaus Burnley can gain at the giant charity store.
Kim, who helps run the fashion department, said: “I enjoyed doing the customer service course with Ken. He broke it down into smaller bits, which was helpful. I will use it for when I get a job in retail that needs customer service.”
Kim greets customers, manages the tills and keeps the rails fully stocked with quality clothing, shoes, bags and other items. These opportunities help people gain work experience and routes into employment to rebuild lives.
Marcus would like to become an HGV driver in the future and said the skills developed on the course will help in any customer-facing situation.
“The course was awesome. The tutor was very engaging. The course helps me most when I’m speaking directly to customers. It will help me with customers on a one-to-one basis, or if I need to speak to people on the phone in future.”
Ben also completed the course and said it had been a valuable addition to his CV. Ben said: “It gives you good customer service skills and I enjoyed being taught by Ken. I learned how to engage with customers politely and correctly, how to be on their wavelength and to think about their needs.”
The Emmaus Department Store in Preston offers affordable items for the home and wardrobe, and provides training, work opportunities and nationally recognised qualifications for people who have faced homelessness and social exclusion.
Pictured (left to right): Emmaus companions Ben, Dobbie, John, Marcus, Christian and Kim.
You can arrange a collection of goods you would like to donate by getting in touch with Emmaus Burnley via our goods donation form here.