Jollyes, the national pet retail chain which has a store in Newport, is offering animal lovers a dream opportunity as it recruits 150 young people to work in its stores nationwide.
It is looking for staff who will gain a wide range of retail experience as customer advisers, including looking after pets in those stores that sell live animals, and for assistant groomers to work in The Spa, its in-store dog grooming service.
Jollyes has almost 70 stores across the UK selling food, accessories and pet toys, and many of the stores sell pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, fish and reptiles.
The fast-growing pet retailer is offering 6 months paid placements to 16 to 24-year-olds under the government’s Kickstart Scheme in England, Wales and Scotland.
Jollyes has already received hundreds of applications from across the country as it looks to provide 1 or 2 placements in each of its stores, from Newport on the Isle of Wight to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
It has put together a comprehensive induction and training programme that will cover customer services, working on the tills, merchandising and stockroom work, as well as general career development such as writing CVs and doing interviews.
The goal is to equip candidates with skills and experience to boost their job prospects, whether they apply for a permanent vacancy at Jollyes or another employer.
Lucie Coleman, retail operations director at Jollyes, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to help young people in our communities who have a passion for pets to get into a workplace environment.
“In most of our stores they’ll get to work with animals and in all our stores they’ll learn valuable retail and job skills that will help them get on the career ladder. No experience is necessary. We’re looking for candidates who are passionate about pets, willing to learn and friendly.”
Recruitment firm Zachary Daniels, which has been working with Jollyes for 5 years on recruiting colleagues at all levels – from store assistants to senior management, is running the Kickstart recruitment drive.
Partner Zac Clements said:
“It’s a dream role for anyone who loves animals, but they will also get training and experience in all aspects of retailing and the world of work that will set them up with skills needed in a wide range of careers.”
The scheme is open to eligible 16 to 24-year-olds claiming Universal Credit and Kickstart jobs cover 25 hours per week and pay at least at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage level depending on age. Interested applicants should contact: [email protected]
