Visitors to the BNDfC Information Shop can now benefit from the local expertise of two new recruits.
Azeem Khan and Awil Mireh, both 20 years old, have started work at the Spital Hill shop as Information Assistants. The Burngreave-born and bred duo have joined the New Deal team as part of a Modern Apprenticeship training scheme.
Zafar Iqbal, Information Shop supervisor, said: “We’re delighted to have both Azeem and Awil on board – they are very friendly, enthusiastic and hard-working.
“With more and more local residents now visiting us on Spital Hill, requesting information and advice, it was important that we expanded our workforce – and Azeem and Awil are just right for the role.”
They will be in charge of keeping all the shop information up to date, chatting to customers and advising them on the wide variety of services on offer in Burngreave.
In addition to their day-to-day tasks, Azeem and Awil will also complete a series of part-time training courses in customer services, communication skills and administration.
Azeem said: “I am really enjoying my new job working with BNDfC. Burngreave is such a diverse and multicultural area which means there’s always a wide range of interesting people dropping in to the information shop.
“I take great pleasure in being able to help people, and point them in the right direction, advising them on all kinds of New Deal services from housing to education.
“I have only been in the job a short time but already I’ve found that every day and every week is different with BNDfC. There’s so many positive things taking place in this area and I want to make sure local people know all about them.”
After initial training at the Information Shop, Azeem and Awil will then start a rotation cycle of work – putting their skills into practice at other New Deal projects.
Awil said: “I’m thrilled to be working for BNDfC – it is a fantastic opportunity. The job is very enjoyable and I get great satisfaction from being able to help or advise local people in the community.
“As well as working in the Information Shop, I’m also really looking forward to getting out and about on the Burngreave Community Information Vehicle. It is another great way of telling everyone about the services on offer and engaging with local people on a one-to-one basis.”