Jobseekers have embarked on new careers at Nexus thanks to a workplace training programme.
The Sector Work Academy Programme (SWAP) has created new opportunities for three local jobseekers in South Tyneside, providing them with customer service roles on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The successful candidates - Matthew Desire, Bill Iredale and Josh Hall - completed the programme and secured the roles following successful job interviews. There was strong interest, with a field 13 people on the course vying for Nexus vacancies.
SWAP aims to tackle local unemployment and bridge skills gaps.
We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Job Centre Plus (JCP) and a well-established local independent training provider – the South Shields-based Zenith Training - to offer the SWAP programme bespoke to us.
We've recruited a total of 20 new Metro Customer Service Advisors, with three of that wider intake from the training scheme.
Maureen Askew, Head of Learning at Nexus, said: “I’m delighted to say that we’ve scored our first successes with the SWAP training programme, creating careers at Nexus for three successful candidates.
“We have worked closely with Job Centre Plus and Zenith Training to provide opportunities for applicants to gain the essential skills for the job and provide the best possible opportunity to gain a full-time role at the end of it with our Metro customer service team.
“This underlines our commitment to investing in talent development and providing individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the public transport industry.
“All of the people on the course, who were from South Tyneside, will have gained a great deal from the training. The three successful candidates are among 20 new Metro customer services advisors that started employment and three week induction training with us in November.”
Lynne Dickinson, Station Delivery Manager at Nexus, said: “This is a great opportunity and a great collaboration for us in terms of recruitment of Metro customer service teams.
“The support that we received from the teams at Job Centre Plus and Zenith was first rate, as were the candidates that they put forward for the programme. The number of candidates overall was one of the highest responses we've had for a while and the quality of candidates invited for our assessment day was outstanding. Well done to those successful candidates I am looking forward to seeing them in their operational roles in the future.”
Paul Smissen, Director at Zenith Training, said: "We are proud to have played a pivotal role in the success of the Sector Work Academy Programme, enabling local jobseekers to unlock their potential and step into meaningful careers with Nexus.
“This collaboration embodies our commitment to bridging skills gaps and empowering individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the workplace. Seeing Matthew, Bill, and Josh secure these roles is a testament to the transformative impact of targeted training and partnership. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities that uplift our community and build a skilled, confident workforce."
Job Centre Plus worked closely with Nexus and the training provider to promote the jobs to their clients who meet the eligibility criteria and refers them to the training provider.
The training provider also promotes the opportunities through their well-established channels.
The applicants completed a pre-course interview to ensure they met the eligibility criteria.
The application process to the job remains the same – through the North East Jobs site, but people on the course will gain support to complete the application form, and they will be referred to an assessment and job interview day with Nexus.
More information about joining the next SWAP programme can be found here: