Local college train staff for new London Designer Outlet

Dozens of people from the area have been employed by retailers and restaurants in Wembley’s new London Designer Outlet (LDO) following training courses run at the College of North West London.

The College trained over 200 people in customer service, retail and other skills and many of them have now secured jobs at Skechers, Gap and Cineworld. Another company who has taken on staff following the customer service and em-ployability training programmes is Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas, which opened in the LDO last week. Around 30 of the restaurant’s staff came via the College’s training, and many of them were serving at the restaurant’s lively opening reception event last week.

Rochelle Pinnock from Harlesden and Gianmarco Forastiere from Bow were both looking for work when the opportunity came along. Rochelle commented: “The training at the College was really enjoyable and I developed skills that enabled me to impress at the interview and get the job.” Gianmarco added: “We were taught to expect hard work and it is. But it’s really enjoyable too. There is a great atmosphere in the restaurant and among the staff.”

Rhona McDade from Wembley also secured a job at the restaurant following training at the College. She said: “The training was very thorough and I felt well prepared for the interview. Working here is really exciting!”

Tutor Stella DaSilva, who taught the groups, was very impressed when she saw her students at the reception opening, saying: “The standard of food, drink and service is great. I am really proud that so many of the people who took the course got work here, and they are doing a fantastic job.” She added: “This isn’t the College’s first large scale training programme for retailers. We have previously carried out successful training to help companies recruit staff at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in Hendon.”