CSC OPENS DOORS TO RETAIL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Leading UK shopping centre owner and operator, Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), launches a partnership today with Reid Kerr College in Paisley through its Braehead Shopping Centre in Renfrewshire.
This collaborative partnership will see dedicated retail training courses delivered in Kirklandneuk Community Centre in Renfrew, helping to meet the needs and aspirations of the local community, and the current and future requirements of businesses and potential employers in the area.
Candidates will train part-time, taking part in drop-in sessions at the centre to complete short on-line courses. As well as job search training to help support applications for future job vacancies, individuals will be introduced to Retail Skills, Personal Development Planning and Essential Skills such as communication, working with others, problem solving and computing skills.
Hosted by Reid Kerr College at Kirklandneuk Community Centre, today’s launch is an opportunity for key partners, training candidates and tutors to come together and celebrate the success of this initiative. Also in attendance was Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay, who welcomed the partnership and new training opportunities to Renfrew.
Alexander Nicoll, Director of Corporate Responsibility at CSC, said today, “Capital Shopping Centres is a long-term and active participant locally through ownership of Braehead Shopping Centre. We are committed to promoting jobs growth, training and educational opportunities for local people and are delighted to offer support for the Learning Centre run by Reid Kerr College based at Kirklandneuk Community Centre in Renfrew.
Our recently announced plans for Braehead are exciting and, we estimate, could deliver 2000 construction jobs over several years including apprenticeships for young people. Once the extension is built we could see 3000 workers in the retail, hotel and leisure amenities. Once again these jobs include apprenticeships and Braehead would operate a Jobs Shop in the centre to make it easier for local people to apply for these jobs.
Our partnership, already underway, with Reid Kerr College at Kirklandneuk allows us to give support directly to local people seeking the training and skills, especially in retail, which can open doors to jobs and opportunities for them in the Braehead area.”
Derek McKay said, “I welcome this partnership between CSC and Reid Kerr College, which will see new training opportunities created in the Renfrew area at the Kirklandneuk Community Centre. Kirklandneuk Community Centre has been a great hive of activity and service and the training that will be provided here will be very warmly received. It is really important that we provide such opportunities for digital learning, employment and training, particularly at this time.”
Reid Kerr College Principal Audrey Cumberford added, “Without the generous support and partnership of CSC and Braehead Shopping Centre, Reid Kerr would not be able to provide this valuable provision in Kirklandneuk. It allows us to deliver training and employment opportunities right in the heart of the community supporting our commitment to wider access and participation and developing successful learners.”
Braehead’s general manager, Peter Beagley said: “Braehead plays a major role in the Renfrewshire community as a provider of jobs and the subsequent wages that can be spent in towns and villages in the area. We appreciate how hard it is to find work in the current economic climate, but the money we are providing for the Reid Kerr project will give local people a better chance of finding a job.”
Pictured from left is Derek McKay, Audrey Cumberford, Alexander Nicoll and Peter Beagley.
Notes to Editors
- Please see attached a series of quotes from current training candidates at Kirklandneuk.
- Up to 28 individuals can be supported on this training at any one time and a new intake will commence early next year.
- Image 1901.jp from left is Derek McKay, Audrey Cumberford, Alexander Nicoll & Peter Beagley.
- Image 0017.jpg is of students from the course featured in the series of quotes. From left is Kimberley, Catherine, Claire & Lorna.
- Capital Shopping Centres Group PLC (CSC)
We own and operate many of the very best shopping centres, in the strongest locations right across the country, attracting over 320 million customer visits a year. Two thirds of the UK population live within a 45 minute drive time of a CSC centre.
With over 16 million sq ft of retail space, valued at £7 billion, every single one of the UK’s top 20 retailers is in our shopping centres, alongside some of the world’s most iconic global brands.
Our five major out-of-town centres and nine in-town destinations include ten of the UK’s top 25 shopping centres. Our out-of-town centres include The Trafford Centre, Lakeside, Metrocentre, Braehead, and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, and our in-town prime destinations include Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Bromley, Uxbridge, Watford and Stoke-on-Trent.
In November 2011, we acquired Broadmarsh shopping centre in Nottingham bringing our portfolio to 15 centres.
We are fully committed to supporting our local communities and the wider environment through meaningful and hands-on initiatives.
For further information see www.cscretail.co.uk
