Jobless Sussex youths finally given chance to shine

THE sky is the limit for two teenagers now they have landed a job at a travel firm through a youth employment programme.

College students Anushca Jean-Louis and Alison Ellis have applied for dozens of jobs, mostly without getting a reply.

So when they saw an opportunity for a guaranteed interview, they grasped it with both hands.

Central Sussex College has teamed up with the Jobcentre and currency exchange firm Travelex to offer young people a route into employment.

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The eight-day course includes retail training, help with CVs and ends with a guaranteed interview. The scheme is aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds in Surrey and Sussex.

Anushca, 19, from North Court in Three Bridges, is currently studying a part-time French course at Central Sussex College.

She previously completed a travel and tourism course at the college but was unable to land a job in the industry.

She has received work through agencies but it has all been temporary. Now she hopes the role at Travelex will help her get her foot in the door.

She said: "It is so hard to get a job at the moment. I have been applying for five or six jobs a day online as well as going into shops and phoning places. There are so many people applying and most of the time your CV probably doesn't get looked at properly. The great thing about doing the course was I was guaranteed an interview and I was given a chance to show I could do the job."

The course involves six days of training focussing on the skills needed for a retail job. Applicants then spend two days working at Travelex in Gatwick Airport's South Terminal before being interviewed.

Alison Ellis, 18, from Weald Drive in Furnace Green, who also landed a job at one of the South Terminal's branches, has submitted more than 50 job applications in the past few months.

She said: "I've been trying to get a job to save money so that I can go to university. I have applied for so many jobs but not had a lot of luck. I received a reply from a job I applied for eight months ago just after I was offered the job at Travelex. While I was looking for paid work I have been doing work experience and voluntary work. It's better to be doing something than sitting at home."

The pair started their new jobs on Monday.

Pete O'Brien, Gatwick Manager for Travelex UK, said: "We believe that there are a lot of potentially very talented individuals in the region who could make great sales consultants, given the right training and support.

"However, many candidates struggle to land an interview due to limited experience. We have teamed up with Central Sussex College and the Jobcentre to offer these people a chance to shine and the opportunity to develop the skills needed for a career in retail or customer services."

The scheme could become a regular programme if successful.