Five jobless young people are today starting a four-week work placement at EDP Top100 firm Archant in an initiative to support Norwich For Jobs.

The 18 to 24-year-olds attended an initial Archant Sales Academy day on Monday when they were taught basic telephone skills covering everything from establishing a rapport to what information to find out about a business before making a call.

During their work placement at Archant's Prospect House HQ, they will deliver a telemarketing campaign on behalf of Norwich For Jobs, contacting firms to establish any employment needs they may have and encouraging them to support the campaign to drive down the city's youth unemployment.

Emily Thacker-Seaman, Archant's regional recruitment sales team leader, said: 'Our aim is to encourage other firms to take a similar lead.

'Ideally, we hope they they will pledge jobs to 18 to 24-year-olds or offer services like we have done, such as work placements, mock interviews and help with CVs that are invaluable to job seekers.'

She said the participants, who had all been recruited via Norwich Jobcentre, had been told that if they shone there was the possible chance of a job at the end as the EDP Top100 firm was currently recruiting.