Rising Star Programme

Learning Pool Looks to Tackle High Youth Unemployment

Derry (UK), January 2013 - Aimed at school leavers and recent graduates looking for work experience, the new "Rising Star" programme offers a unique opportunity to join Learning Pool's technical-support team. With more than one in five young people out of work in the UK, the scheme is a welcome addition in the bid to tackle youth unemployment.




The "Rising Stars" will join Learning Pool for twelve months and work in customer-facing roles in the company's technical-support team. These are full-time positions, and candidates will be paid for their efforts as well as receiving on-the-job and structured training throughout the time they work at the company. This programme is entirely funded by Learning Pool.

Aine Bradley, Learning Pool's Head of Customer Service explains, "Our young people are an untapped resource of creativity and talent, and I'm excited about our plans to train and support them. The programme will help our 'Rising Stars' make the step into work, learn about life in a high-growth tech company, and acquire useful technical and customer-service skills."

Declan McDonagh, a current placement student at Learning Pool, said today of his experience, "I was over the moon when I was given the opportunity to work with one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the UK. My confidence has rocketed, and I've grown as a person in every respect, all thanks to the fantastic Learning Pool team."

Earlier this year, Learning Pool committed to creating thirty new jobs in the UK over this year and next. These new appointments build on the company's commitment to boost staff numbers and improve customer service for the one million people Learning Pool expects to train in 2013.

Paul McElvaney, Learning Pool Director said, "We're really proud to be creating more new jobs. I'm particularly proud to be welcoming new team members who have little or no work experience. One of our greatest achievements so far has been to give people career opportunities, and many of our senior team are testament to this ethos. The experience that our Rising Stars will get in the next twelve months will prove invaluable to them whatever they go on to do next."

Paul describes Learning Pool's company ethos as being "challenging, rewarding and fun". He said that the team aspire to make the business a great place to work and one where they can achieve their career ambitions. "The result is that they work really hard and are rewarded and recognised for this. Best of all, they are part of something that we all believe in and we think is pretty special."