Capital shopping centre launches retail partnership

Shopping centre owner and operator Capital Shopping Centres

has launched a partnership with Reid Kerr College in Paisley through its Braehead shopping centre in Renfrewshire to deliver a range of retail training courses.

CSC said the courses, which will be taught at the Kirklandneuk Community Centre in Renfrew, have been designed to meet the needs of local businesses and potential employers in the area.

Students will be given the opportunity to train part-time, taking part in drop-in sessions at the centre to complete short on-line courses. As well as job search skills, students will be trained in retail, personal development planning and skills such as communication, numeracy and computing.

Alexander Nicoll, director of corporate responsibility at CSC, said: "Capital Shopping Centres is a long-term and active participant locally through ownership of Braehead shopping centre. We are committed to promoting jobs growth, training and educational opportunities for local people and are delighted to offer support for the Learning Centre run by Reid Kerr College based at Kirklandneuk Community Centre in Renfrew.

"Our recently announced plans for Braehead are exciting and, we estimate, could deliver 2,000 construction jobs over several years including apprenticeships for young people. Once the extension is built we could see 3,000 workers in the retail, hotel and leisure amenities. Once again these jobs include apprenticeships and Braehead would operate a Jobs Shop in the centre to make it easier for local people to apply for these jobs.

"Our partnership, already underway, with Reid Kerr College at Kirklandneuk allows us to give support directly to local people seeking the training and skills, especially in retail, which can open doors to jobs and opportunities for them in the Braehead area."