07 November 2012
48 unemployed Islanders have been offered jobs at new restaurant TGI Friday’s.
The restaurant chain confirmed this week that of the 60 jobs created at the restaurant so far, over 75% had been offered to locally qualified jobseekers who had benefitted from intensive preparation from the Back to Work team at Social Security.
Social Security Minister Senator Francis Le Gresley said that the department was delighted with the numbers who had been offered work. “These job successes are a huge boost and a reflection of the time and effort which staff put into this process. The project was a first for the Back to Work team, both in terms of the level of support provided to large numbers of people in a short space of time and the innovative approach required for training.
“We needed to prepare them for a different interview experience to any they might have previously had and make sure they could deal confidently with large group sessions and public performance. The success of this process depended largely on the willingness of TGI Friday’s to engage with our department and proved how well this type of partnership can work.”
TGI Friday’s own audition process focused heavily on confidence and personality and applicants took part in assessment centres where front of house applicants had to give a performance and kitchen staff candidates took part in cooking challenges.
Over the week before the TGI Friday’s auditions, Back to Work organised initial training, pre-selection and individual feedback sessions for over 200 unemployed people who had expressed an interest in applying for roles. Motivation and customer service courses, as well as company-specific training was then rolled out for over 100 people, followed by kitchen role play and individual performance sessions led by local actors.
The General Manager of TGI Friday’s Jersey, Chris Snowdon, said “We’re delighted to be working with the Social Security Department to help us find team members for our new Jersey restaurant. Our team is central to the Friday’s experience and we encourage everyone who works with us to be themselves. Friday’s is a fun place to work and we’re a real family and I’m excited to create a new team right here in Jersey.”
The restaurant opens at 4 pm on Friday 30 November 2012.
gov.je