160 new jobs are to be created at the Sheffield Parkway based Dixons Customer Contact Centre, which is rolling out a centralised call handling service for all 111 PC World Stores. The recruitment process will begin this week with applicants invited to an Weekend beginning Saturday 13th July 2002 at the Dixon's Parkway Campus.

JOBMatch, part of Sheffield's inward investment agency Sheffield First for Investment, will be working with call centre recruitment company, contactUs, meaning local people will be given a greater opportunity to secure the job vacancies at Dixons, with a focus particularly on offering lone parents a flexible work package that will enable them to both work and manage parenthood.

JOBMatch will work with local organisations to provide 'job readiness' programmes for local people to ensure they have the necessary skills and aptitudes for a job at Dixons. They will then forward successful people on to contactUs, who manage recruitment campaigns for call centres, who will identify potential new recruits and help Dixons with the final selection process.

Director of JOBMatch John Hudson says, "It's vital that we continue to encourage large companies such as Dixons to look to the local skills market for employees. Sheffield has a wealth of prime candidates who can help companies develop and expand, and we have the local expertise and contacts to be able to offer companies fast, cost effective solutions and ensure local people are given the greatest opportunity to secure new employment opportunities."

As Dixons Contact Centre's Director John Sorby explains, "Following a successful 12 week trial, we are extending the PC World call handling unit which will be fully in place by the end of October. The unit will have a team of approximately 160 advisors, Team Leaders and Coaches, and will provide an enhanced and more efficient service to our PC World customers."

This is the second time Dixons have worked with contactUs, who are looking forward to the additional support offered by JOBMatch. Paul Broderick, Operations Director of contactUs says, "When we were approached by JOBMatch to help us support the campaign for the growth at Dixons, we were delighted to employ their services, given their local focus. We are looking forward to the additional support and the success of this project."

TheDay at Dixons will be held from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July at the Dixons Customer Contact Centre Campus, Sheffield Parkway. To visit, take the yellow tram to the Contact Centre, or parking is available on site.

11th July 2002