1. Working in Partnership to support Young People
Argos & Jobcentre Plus

2. Argos & Jobcentre Plus Partnership
Establishing the Partnership
Christmas 2011 – A more structured approach
Our results so far
Plans for the future
What has worked well for us
© Argos 2010

3. Establishing the Partnership
Working in partnership for almost 5 years
Commercial focus
Sharing of Industry knowledge
Support for new stores and Peak recruitment
Local relationships built up between store managers and account managers
© Argos 2010

4. Christmas 2011 – A more structured approach
Christmas sees an increase in headcount of 10,000
Opportunity to provide work experience and a trial period for recruitment
Clear communication to Stores and Jobcentre Plus colleagues
Consistent selection process commencing September
Placements October to December
© Argos 2010

5. Our Results so far
We recruited 937 work experience colleagues over Christmas (almost 10% of total colleagues)
We offered further employment to 277, almost 30%
98% of colleagues accepted a position with us
Great feedback from our store teams!
© Argos 2010

6. Feedback
“We were pleased to be able to give 3 of our placements a job and the confidence to get back into work”
“Both colleagues showed great potential one scored 100% in the mystery shopper hot topic!”
“One has now found work somewhere else due to the fact that he gained experience at Argos”
“The job centre set up a really great training pack with lots of store specific content”
“Simon came on a placement in Oct 2010, he now runs the stock room in the absence of the team leader, trains our new colleagues and is working towards becoming a team leader himself in Sept 2012”
© Argos 2010

7. Feedback
“They used their skills to add to their CV’s and had confidence to go and seek permanent work”
“At the beginning of Sept we took on 10 colleagues and a further 8 mid Sept, of these 15 were given fixed term contracts for Peak”
“Peter, 22 joined in Nov after not being able to get paid work since 16, he has received numerous ‘Tell Argos’ compliments and received a letter from Terry Duddy complementing him on his manners”
“Unfortunately budget doesn’t allow us to recruit on a permanent basis despite us being keen to do so!”
© Argos 2010

8. Plans for the future
Small number of initiatives but great implementation
Structured 6 week work experience placement
Clear guiding principles
Accurate monitoring and review
Links to other routes to work
Supporting material
Recognition for successful placements
Channelled through one source
© Argos 2010

9. What has worked for us? Established relationships
Open and honest conversations
Talking about success internally
Clear principles and belief in what we do
© Argos 2010

10. Questions