AFTER three years providing jobs for the long-term employed, a Croydon call centre is offering new opportunities for young people.

Since it opened in 2009 Call Britannia, based in Lombard House on Purley Way, has offered work to around 200 people, who had to have been out of work for at least six months to qualify for a job.

Aimed specifically at 18 to 24-year-olds, the apprentices, some of whom will be drawn from the existing workforce, will be offered the chance to take NVQ qualifications in a number of subjects including customer service, call centre management and training.

Currently employing around 60 people, the company launched its own apprenticeship scheme on Monday.

The scheme is being run in association with the charity Catch22, which is providing funding for the project.

Chris Wright, chief executive of Catch22, said: "We believe that apprenticeships are far more than just training programmes, they are about starting a career and acquiring and developing skills young people and young adults need for the rest of their working lives."

Richard Parsons, managing director of Call Britannia, said five apprentices started this week and the hope is that the total would grow to 25 as the programme became established.

He said: "The apprenticeship scheme will enable people to build experience which they can use here or if they move on somewhere else."

Mr Parsons believes the attitude and commitment of the staff plays a key part in the increasing success of the company.

Clients also got satisfaction from knowing they were supporting people who had found it difficult to get work before.

He said: "They are able to demonstrate aspects of corporate social responsibility by doing something more than just day to day business."

Call Britannia is also celebrating the start of a two-year contract with Recyclebank, which is working with a number of local authorities, offering points rewards to residents who recycle waste.

Call Britannia is helping monitor rewards totals and the issue of money-off vouchers to residents taking part.