The Customer Service Team at The Sage Gateshead is hitting the high notes after enrolling on a training programme.
Seven staff enrolled on a Customer Service programme designed to perfect their skills through NVQ accredited work-based learning and apprenticeship programmes. The programme is being delivered through a unique partnership between local training provider Access and the Sage Gateshead's own Customer Service management team.
The iconic music centre, located on Gateshead Quays, were keen to endorse the key skills of their front of house staff, encouraging them to go the extra mile for visitors and create a positive and welcoming image of The Sage Gateshead.
Left to right: Amy Bradley, Margaret McCallum, Catherine Hymers and Wendy Cook
The course, which is funded by the Learning and Skills Council, has been designed to enhance and accredit the well-developed customer focus already demonstrated by the Customer Service Team. The programme includes specific modules relating to an arts venue-based role which has made it a hit with the Sage Gateshead staff.
The Sage Gateshead also runs an ongoing extensive in-house training programme for the (almost 200) members of its Customer Service Team. This training covers a wide range of topics including stewarding performances, leading tours and school visits, manual handling, operating access equipment, silver service, selling tickets, bar work, health and safety, selling merchandise and first aid, to name just a few.
Margaret McCallum is one of the employees enrolled on the course. She said: "I'm really enjoying the training and feel like I'm learning valuable skills to better equip me in my role".
Catherine Hymers, Head of Customer Services at The Sage Gateshead, added: "We believe in investing in our staff and as well as our in-house bespoke training we were pleased to give our staff the opportunity to try new things through working with external training companies. We want our employees to be happy and confident in what they do and we felt that NVQs were the perfect way to make this happen."
Malcolm Armstrong, Managing Director of Access added "this is an excellent example a company using work based learning and apprenticeships alongside their own in house programmes to create a bespoke accredited training programme. The Sage Gateshead is to be commended for their imagination, and commitment to staff training. We are pleased to be working in partnership with them to develop such a unique programme"
