Pictured (L-R) are James Quiqley NOW Group Participant, Gillian McCaughtry Head of Customer Experience at Power NI, Nick Lundholm NOW Group Participant, Clare Jordan NOW Group Employment Development Manager, and Ken Hawthorne Billing Operations Manager at Power NI.
Power NI, Northern Ireland’s leading electricity supplier, has launched a new initiative with local charity, NOW Group, to provide training for people with autism and learning difficulties to develop key skills, build confidence and ultimately help guide the participants into employment.
In an effort to remove barriers to work, Power NI will deliver a Data Analytics and Basic Coding Academy, giving 10 NOWGroup participants the opportunity to learn key workplace skills whilst getting practical hands-on experience that will help build confidence for their future careers.
Gillian McCaughtry, Head of Customer Experience at Power NI, welcomed the partnership and commented:
“At Power NI accessibility and inclusivity are so important to us, and we’ve worked closely with NOW Group for quite some time to provide specialist training to our staff to support customers who may have learning difficulties or autism.
“It’s wonderful to be able to build on that partnership andoffer this learning opportunity through the Academy programme, by providing training and skills that will help aid a transition into working life and a well-supported career for participants.”
NOW Group provides a wide range of services that support people with learning difficulties and autism, helping them to realise their full potential. This support takes the form of employment support, training, and volunteering.
Employment Development Manager at NOW Group, Clare Jordan added:
“Our mission at NOW Group is to make a real difference in the lives of those with learning difficulties and autism, helping them reach their full potential. We partner with local businesses to provide real-life work scenarios to help train participants in life and career skills, helping them on their path to finding a career. Partnerships like this one with are truly life changing to our participants!”
Power NI, part of Energia Group, first collaborated with the NOW Group in 2019, providing JAM (‘Just A Minute’) training to staff to recognise and support customers who may need more time or assistance.
Power NI has continued this training and proudly extended the partnership into other branches of the business, the most notable providing the employability opportunities and support.