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CONSUMER DIRECT SCOTLAND REACHES IMPORTANT MILESTONE |
18 June 2004 |
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The Department for Trade and Industry’s new national consumer helpline and online advice service Consumer Direct, has reached one of its most important milestones with the successful completion of training for the 22-strong team of advisors at the Scotland contact centre based in Shawbost, Isle of Lewis. The event was marked by a presentation to the advisers of their Certificates of Competence by the Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Alex A MacDonald. Commenting on the event he said, “I’m delighted that the project has reached this important milestone and that all the advisers have successfully passed what was a very demanding training programme. I know that everybody involved with the project has worked extremely hard and I’d like to thank our partners, the DTI and TSC, for all their help in achieving this and to acknowledge the co-operation and support of our local authority partners and other key stakeholders. It is a real achievement for the Western Isles to have secured this centre to provide a service across Scotland and a clear demonstration that the Islands can meet modern business needs.” The six week training programme will equip staff to provide consumers with clear, practical information and advice on a range of consumer matters including individual problems and how to obtain redress, pre-shopping advice and consumer rights. Consumer Direct is a service for all consumers, anyone who is buying or has bought goods or services and is seeking advice or redress – whether it is a £20 pair of jeans, a £2,000 house repair or a £20,000 car. Consumer Direct will work with local authorities and other key stakeholders providing consumer services to deliver a complete support service. Consumer Direct will be the first point of call for consumers and will provide first tier advice, allowing existing services to focus their expertise and resources on those that need further help. Dr Mitchell Leimon, programme director for the UK-wide Consumer Direct, who was at the Shawbost centre today to meet the advisers and management said: “Consumer Direct is one of the biggest developments in consumer rights and empowerment across the UK in the last 25-years. I am confident we now have a team that is ready and capable to provide Scotland’s consumers with a first-class service. I congratulate them all on their achievement.” Ken Hills, Chief Executive of Telecom Service Centres Ltd (TSC), who will manage and operate the service, said: “This is a great moment for everybody involved in this project and we are proud that the entire Shawbost team has completed this critical phase. The comprehensive training programme given to advisors will help to ensure that our staff can begin to deliver an excellent service to Scottish consumers in partnership with our key stakeholders.” Consumer Direct Scotland will be the first of the four pathfinders to deliver services to consumers when it is launched on 12 July 2004 by Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP.Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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