DFC Work Experience - Retail Assistant

Department for Communities (Work Experience Opportunities); Belfast; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A retail company in Northern Ireland is offering a 13-week work experience opportunity for individuals aged 16-24. The role involves diverse sales tasks, customer service, and teamwork. Participants will learn valuable skills and may secure employment after the placement. An incentive payment of £10/day and potential reimbursement for travel costs are offered.

Benefits

Incentive payment of £10/day

Travel and childcare cost reimbursement

Responsibilities

• Work with the shop team to meet customer needs.
• Provide excellent customer service face to face and online.
• Build product knowledge through personal research.
• Daily cashing up and processing customer commissions.
• Visual merchandising and maintaining store layout.
• Take inventory and process stock deliveries.
• Assist in health and safety standards upkeep.
• Perform cleaning duties throughout the store.

Skills

Sales skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Technology skills

Problem solving

Good communication skills

Flexible approach

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to get experience working in a diverse retail role where they are not only learning the normal day to day sales/retail duties but working with a dynamic team of likeminded individuals with a common goal to build and expand our business. Not only do we buy and sell antiques, but we run one of the biggest film and tv prop hire companies in Northern Ireland. We fit out bars, restaurants, local attractions. We have pop up shops for every season, Halloween, Xmas. We are not your normal retail outlet. This work experience will offer you the opportunity to learn and in turn offer excellent customer service skills and you will support the store by assisting with a variety of tasks. At the end of a successful placement, you will have an opportunity to interview for permanent employment within the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Working with the shop team to make sales and ensure customer needs are met
• Providing good customer service and speaking to customers face to face, over the phone and dealing with online and text enquiries
• Build product knowledge by conducting personal research into the types of products we sell
• Daily cashing up
• Processing customer commissions
• Visual Merchandising to ensure the layout of the store is appealing to customers
• Processing incoming stock deliveries and taking inventory
• Processing customer deliveries and collections
• Assist in the upkeep of health and safety standards throughout the store.
• Cleaning duties throughout the store
• Problem solving

Skills and Qualifications

• Sales skills
• Time management and problem solving
• Commercial awareness and product knowledge
• Problem solving
• Interpersonal skills
• Patience and tact when dealing with different staff and customer situations
• Technology skills such as learning how to use our point of sale system
• Interest in vintage and antiques
• Team player but able to work on own initiative
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Flexible approach

Further Information

The Employer is On the Square Emporium. As this is an Opportunity Guarantee placement, it is only available to those aged 16-24. This work experience opportunity is expected to last for 13 weeks and will require attendance of 25 hours per week. While on Work Experience, participants will retain their entitlement to benefit. Those who are not receiving benefit are also welcome to participate. Travel and childcare costs may be reimbursed. Participants will also receive an incentive payment equivalent to £10/day to a maximum of £50/week. Contact your local Jobs and Benefits office for further information or contact the WEP team via [e-mail].

Application Information

If you are in receipt of benefits, please contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office.

Area: Derry or Londonderry

Closing date: 06 Nov 2025

Area: All of Northern Ireland

Closing date: 07 Nov 2025