Jobs for young at customer service firm

FirstLocate of Leeds is taking on seven apprentices in the next six weeks, at a time when youth unemployment is rising.

Four apprentices will be based at its Leeds office and three will be at its satellite office in Scarborough. The company plans to hire a further 13 apprentices who will be based in Leeds, Scarborough and Malton by March 2012.

The jobs mostly involve discussing with people their overdue and defaulted utility accounts.

Jade Donohue, the company’s HR manager, said: “Like many businesses we are striving to improve our efficiency and in the current climate feel it crucial to put more emphasis on how we handle vulnerable customers and those in financial difficulties.”