Recently we had the privilege of welcoming CatZero, a Hull‑based charity supporting young people through an eight‑week personal development programme designed for those currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Their visit to ResQ was all about giving young people genuine exposure to the world of work and creating space for them to try something new in a supportive environment.
We hosted a workplace meet‑and‑greet followed by a series of mock interviews, giving participants the chance to experience what a real recruitment conversation feels like. For many, it was their first time sitting across the table in a professional interview setting. They practised talking about their strengths, building confidence, and learning how to present themselves to an employer.
And right now, experiences like this matter.
The national labour market remains challenging for young people, with many facing uncertainty about their next steps. Behind every statistic is someone in our community who simply needs the right opportunity, and we are passionate about helping them explore what’s possible.
Gail, from CatZero’s Personal Development Team, shared the impact the session had:
“Your enthusiasm, good will and support is very much appreciated.
For some of the participants it was their very first experience of being in a ‘real’ interview situation and they all took it very seriously.
They all thought that the afternoon was very rewarding.”— Gail, CatZero Personal Development Team
At ResQ, we’re proud to be growing and investing in our people. Supporting initiatives like this is an important part of that commitment. This project offer skills practice at its core, but it’s also about opening doors and helping young people see a future they might not have imagined.
Opportunities like these make a real difference:
Mock interviews
Workplace meet‑and‑greets
Honest career conversations
Exposure to a real, supportive working environment
These experiences give young people a clear picture of the opportunities available at ResQ and what a supportive, development‑focused workplace can look like. Contact centres offer an important gateway into employment and ResQ is no exception.
At ResQ, we go beyond providing jobs. We invest in people and help them build careers they can grow in. With tailored progression routes, hands‑on coaching supported by our industry leading Tech, ResQ IQ and a culture that actively invests in helping people move forward in their careers.
Alan Dunn, ResQ’s Recruitment Manager summed up our approach:
“Breaking down barriers and creating opportunity for people to come and join ResQ has always been at the forefront of how we recruit. Our unique selection process at ResQ allows us to look at everybody that applies without having to think about experience or qualifications. Our experienced recruitment team are experts in selecting the right people for the role.
Cat Zero is ResQ’s chosen charity this year, they run a program that help young people develop their communications skills, work within a team, build confidence and generally prepare for the working world. The ethos with CatZero fits the Ethos with ResQ.
We’ve already had the pleasure to meet the current cohort at CatZero and once they have finished their course, they will have the opportunity to interview with ResQ. We’ll be looking forward to their interview!”
— Alan Dunnn, Recruitment Manager, ResQ
We also spoke openly about our approach to in‑office working. For us, being together is key operationally and developmentally. Shared spaces allow for confidence building, instant support, real‑time coaching and peer learning. For many young people stepping into the world of work for the first time, that environment can be transformational.
Click here to find out more about careers at ResQ
Seeing the CatZero participants grow in confidence throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions, challenging their own assumptions and beginning to imagine themselves in employment, was incredibly inspiring.
CatZero CEO Adrian Tallon captured the importance of this collaboration perfectly:
“Partnerships like this play a vital role in creating brighter futures for people in Hull. We are delighted to be working with ResQ. By working together, we can help more young people build confidence, develop new skills and take positive steps towards meaningful employment.”
— Adrian Tallon, CEO, CatZero
Most recently, we were delighted to be invited to attend the graduation of CatZero’s latest cohort, a brilliant group of young people who have completed their Twelve‑week personal development journey. It was a privilege to stand alongside them, hear their stories, and celebrate everything they’ve achieved. Moments like this remind us why partnerships like ours matter: they create real, visible progress for young people who are ready for their next chapter.
We’re proud to share that members of this cohort have already begun their journey with ResQ. Three have secured full-time roles, one has joined our talent bank, and another is due to interview with us shortly. Their enthusiasm, growth, and determination were clear from the outset, and it’s been fantastic to see that potential translate into real opportunities. We are eager to continue providing them with support as they progress in their careers.
The partnership with CatZero is an honour for ResQ and we thank the team at CatZero for their commitment to young people and for including us in the celebration event. We look forward to strengthening our partnership even further as we work together to create meaningful opportunities for young people across Hull and the Humber.
