Workshop for young customer care champions

Young people with a flair for customer care are being offered the chance to hone their skills at a free workshop being run by Orkney Business Gateway.

‘Customer Connection’ will explore the principles of excellent customer care, and the skills employers want their staff to have.

It will also provide some practical tips and tools for delivering a stand-out customer experience, including how to deal with different personalities and difficult situations.

Manager of Business Gateway Orkney, Clair Kemp, said: “Local businesses tell us that great customer service is crucial to them winning business and keeping it.

“This course is aimed at helping our local businesses succeed, through giving young people who will be working in them the right skills, right from the start.”

Pupils aged 14 or over and attending a secondary school in Orkney are eligible for a space on the Friday afternoon workshop with tutor Ray Knox.

Everyone who attends will receive a certificate which can then be shown to prospective employers.

Local business owner Martin Fleet - Managing Director of Sheila Fleet Jewellery – agrees people with a good customer care ethos are highly sought after: "We would welcome contact from young people who successfully complete a course such as this and appreciate the importance of service with a smile.

"Anyone who can show potential employers they've started essential customer care training is already a step ahead of the pack."

Customer Connection will run on 21 June at the St Magnus Centre, from 13:15 - 15:45.

The workshop is free. To reserve a space, book online at https://www.bgateway.com/events or call the Orkney Business Gateway office on 01856 886666 or message the ‘BGOrkney’ Facebook page.