Halifax Direct open their doors to the public

The Halifax Direct’s purpose-built Call Centre at the Belfast Gasworks site in Laganside recently opened its door to the public to give them a taste of what it’s like to work in a call centre.

The taster sessions were organised by Halifax Direct, Laganside and the Greater East and South Belfast partnership, following recommendations from local community leaders that such visits would enable local unemployed people to gain a greater advantage of what such jobs entail.

People who have successfully obtained a job in the call centre praised the Halifax for their commitment to training and individual employee’s requirements, with several disabled workers describing how the Halifax looked past their disability, and provided special equipment in order for them to do the job. Angela Maguire, who joined Halifax after an eleven-year break taking care of children, also said that “the training I received was excellent, with plenty of encouragement and support, even when training was over.”

Halifax Direct will continue to work closely with community groups and the T&EA and interviewing is currently taking place for a future Bridge to Employment programme. (CL)