An enthusiastic student on the Cat Zero training initiative has impressed the team at KC so much that they’ve taken him on as a Trainee Customer Services Advisor.

As part of his Cat Zero experience, Chris Toyon (20), from east Hull, joined the team at KC for a three-day placement in November, working in the product development team. During his short time at the company, Chris showed a number of valuable skills and, when a three month placement came up, he was given the opportunity to develop his skills further.

KC joined the Cat Zero programme as a business partner when it launched in 2009 and helps deliver the programme by providing mentors and three-day work placements.

The not for profit organisation is focused on creating opportunities for young adults aged 17-19 living in Hull and who are not currently in education, employment or training.

The programme aims to help the young people develop their skills and prepare them for the work environment. Participants take part in challenging educational and personal development programmes, which use sailing as a focal point. The experience is designed to motivate and bring about attitudinal change.

Kevin Walsh, KC Chief Executive said: “Chris is a great example of how young people can thrive and flourish in a working environment when they are given the right opportunities.  We are proud to be part of the Cat Zero scheme and the work it is doing to help the young people in our region to reach their full potential.”

The programme has achieved a 77 per cent success rate in its first year.

Chris said: “I was so pleased to be offered a placement at KC and I am really enjoying it. I am currently learning how to handle customer calls alongside another member of staff and I hope that at the end of my placement I will have impressed the customer service team and learnt lots of new skills.

“Before I began the Cat Zero programme I was unemployed and when I saw the posters advertising the scheme I thought it would give me some more qualifications and enhance my CV. I have gained much more from the experience than I thought I would and the opportunities it has given me are going to provide me with the best chance of gaining full time employment.”

Jim Dick, Chairman of Cat Zero said: “Cat Zero wouldn’t be able to make such a difference to the lives of the young people in the programme without the fantastic support from businesses such as KC. I would like to thank them for offering Chris the opportunity to gain further work experience, which is a credit to his hard work and determination to succeed.”