A renowned Kiwi fast food company is celebrating this week after one of its HR programs reached an important milestone.
Hell Pizza – which has 70 stores across the country – announced yesterday that 100 young people have now graduated from its award-winning training initiative.
The program, Active in HELL, is open only to youth who have an intellectual disability and provides trainees with paid work experience and vital learning opportunities.
“Active in HELL has gone from strength to strength every year and we’re all really proud of what we’ve achieved,” said general manager Ben Cumming.
“Our hope is always that trainees leave with greater confidence and useful skills that will help them find permanent employment,” he continued. “Our goal is to reach 150 trainees in 2018.”
Those enrolled on the program work 12 two-hour shifts, learning everything from food safety to expected workplace behaviour. Nine graduates have gone on to be offered permanent positions but the company says it’s hoping to boost this number in the near future.
“We’re looking to shift our focus, so that permanent employment becomes a more common outcome of the training,” said Cumming. “At the same time, we need to account for the flexibility that is often required in these cases.”
In order to support its goal of employing more graduates, HELL has partnered with advocacy group IDEA Services to help make opportunities more widely available.
“The six-week training gives individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to break into the labour market by engaging in a workplace environment,” said Krissy Gain, AIH national coordinator.
“The fact that HELL has committed to pay each and every trainee is outstanding, and I believe that HELL is the only company in New Zealand to offer an opportunity like this on such a scale,” she continued.
Gain also said the training also has an “incredible” impact on the young people who take part in the training program.
“In addition to the workplace skills they develop, participants gain greater confidence, purpose and independence,” she said. “I really can’t speak highly enough about this programme and it’s fantastic to have such a pioneering employer like HELL on board.”
Adrian Gordon, who was the 100th graduate, said he enjoyed the experience and gained a lot too.
“I learnt how to prepare the boxes, make dips, portion out ribs, chicken nibbles and sides, clean and sanitise my workspace and properly date products,” he said.
“I enjoyed working with the team and really liked it when we pulled together to get the job done. The training also taught me other important things, like making sure my uniform is clean and getting to work on time.”
However, those who are enrolled on the program aren’t the only ones to benefit – according to store manager Jordan Ritson, the entire team gains an advantage from the initiative.
“He’s great, he comes in motivated to work and that enthusiasm is infectious,” Ritson said of Gordon. “The other day, I was working alongside him and he looked at me and said; ‘Come on mate, we’ve got to get the job done’. Little things like that push you to work harder.”
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