Working with confidence

While working on a class assignment, Leanne Peressini impressed the manager at Mr. Pet’s so much that she was offered a placement for her practicum. She now works there part-time.

Taking Customer Service and Cashier Training (CSCT) at Douglas College was not just a means to getting a job, but a positive step towards boosting her confidence, says graduate Leanne Peressini.

"It really raised my self esteem and helped me be more prepared and motivated to get a job," says Peressini.

Today, Peressini works in customer service and cashiering at Mr. Pet’s in Port Coquitlam. "I really like the animals and the people. And it’s nice to feel wanted," she says.

CSCT, which is part of the Adult Special Education Program at Douglas, is designed for students with barriers to employment, which may include a different learning style, learning difficulties or having been out of the workforce for a number of years.

"A lot of students feel low and have fallen through the cracks in the system," says CSCT instructor Joy Conran.

"I didn’t picture myself working at all before," says Peressini. A learning disability made math particularly challenging. Her mom, Gail, a successful graduate of the CSCT program, suggested her daughter give it a try.

Learning to count money made math more applicable and easier to grasp. Exercises in customer service helped hone her skills in dealing with potentially difficult situations. And Peressini was happy to find the cashier training was done on a POS system, where she could apply computer skills she already had.

The hands-on teaching combined with the self-paced learning make the CSCT Program unique, says Conran. This has earned the program the respect of employers in the community – one has hired 14 Douglas graduates. Grads have a 65-75 percent employment rate, depending on the year, Conran adds.

Anyone considering the program should be punctual, respectful and supportive of their classmates, says Peressini. Basic math and communication skills are also important, says Conran. Applicants must have a real desire to work in customer service and cashiering, she adds.

In addition to gaining job skills and earning a citation, students can graduate with certification in customer service, point-of-sale cashier systems, WHMIS and Superhost.

"We really focus on employability skills, including acing the interview," says Conran.

And ace the interview, Peressini did. Initially, she went to Mr. Pet’s for an information gathering assignment. The manager was so impressed that she offered Peressini a placement for her practicum, also part of the CSCT program. She was offered her current job on completing the program.

Arguably, no one is prouder of her daughter’s success than Gail Peressini.

"She just can’t get enough compliments from her managers. When it’s slow in the store, Leanne is on the computer doing research on animals and pet foods.

"We’re so proud of how well she’s doing," says Gail. "Her grandfather photocopied her first paycheque and framed it. There’s such a transformation in her confidence. She’s just glowing."

The CSCT Program is accepting applications for its September intake. For more information, please contact Joy Conran at 604-777-6164.

Links:

Information Sessions
Customer Service and Cashier Training
Adult Special Education
Mr. Pet’s
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