Thirteen students took part in a 2 day workshop run by Wolverhampton Adult Education Service in partnership with the gallery where they learnt the fundamentals of customer service, including how to meet and greet visitors and communicating effectively.
They also learned what the gallery has to offer and how to help different types of visitors get the most out of their time at the gallery.
And they are now building on their skills by taking up volunteer placements at the gallery.
Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "With the UK economy dominated by the service sector, it's really important that people have excellent customer service skills.
"This 2 day course has proved very successful, with the adult learners first enjoying learning the fundamentals of customer service and then having the opportunity to put them into practice at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
"We hope the experience will stand them in good stead as they seek employment in the coming months."
Tess Radcliffe, the gallery's Cultural Learning and Participation Manager, knows the value of volunteering - having begun her own successful career as a volunteer at the Ikon gallery in 2005.
She said: "I started volunteering because I wanted a career change but didn't know where to start or how to get a foot in the door.
"Thanks to my time as a volunteer, I managed to find paid work and progress my career, so I'm a huge believer in volunteering, whether you're just starting out as a student, fancy a change of direction, are thinking about learning new skills or seeking employment."
To find out more about courses offered by Wolverhampton Adult Education Service, which was rated "outstanding" by Ofsted earlier this year, please visit Type=links;Linkid=2102;Title=Adult Education Service;Target=_blank; or call 01902 558180.
- released: Monday 10 August, 2015