Red hot roles at Nando's

A new Nando’s restaurant in central Edinburgh has dished out jobs to a group of previously unemployed applicants thanks to partnering with local Work Programme provider, Ingeus. The 15 roles at the famous Portuguese eatery, renowned for its red hot peri-peri chicken, include cashiers, grillers and serving staff, and it’s not just the food which is going down a storm with the new recruits.
 
“I absolutely love being back in work,” said David Leitch, now a griller at the Chamber Street restaurant. David, 32, was unemployed for three years after taking time off from a previous job to nurse his seriously ill son. “It is easy to get typecast when you have been out of work for a while but through Ingeus, Nando’s has given me a chance to prove myself. It is hard work but great fun! I really want to stay and progress within the company.”
 
David was one of 35 Ingeus clients interviewed by Nando’s in readiness for the restaurant opening. Ingeus delivers the government’s Work Programme across Scotland, providing practical support to jobseekers and tailored recruitment services to employers of all sizes and industries. Having previously recruited staff for another Nando’s restaurant in the city, Craig Purves from Ingeus’ Employer Services Team was able to accurately assess his clients’ suitability for the roles, putting forward only relevant applicants for Nando’s to interview.
 
General Manager Davie Greenan said: “Ingeus took so much pressure off me in recruiting for the restaurant and Craig went out of his way to understand our needs. They held an initial Nando’s recruitment day at the Ingeus offices in Edinburgh, set up all the interviews, and handled the back-to-work paperwork for the successful applicants, all free-of-charge.
 
“Nando’s believes in people enjoying their jobs and offering a different kind of place to work. Offering half our vacancies to Ingeus clients has given us a diverse mix of experiences and skills and some of my best staff have come via Ingeus.”
 
One such Ingeus client greatly enjoying their new job is 19-year-old griller Mylie Lynch. Unemployed for eight months despite having previous catering experience he said: “The help I got from Ingeus was specific to me. I didn’t feel like I was being forced to apply for positions that weren’t suitable. I was back in work before I knew it and hope to be a Nando’s manager one day. I love the team atmosphere and busy environment here – the food’s pretty good too!”
 
Ingeus has 13 offices across Scotland including Edinburgh. Employers interested in Ingeus’ recruitment services can visit www.ingeus.co.uk/employers