Tesco launches apprenticeship scheme aimed at young people from deprived areas,

Tesco has launched a new retail apprenticeship aimed at young people from deprived areas.

The supermarket is working with Lifetime Training and The Prince’s Trust to offer 150 young people the chance to work towards a Level 2 National Standard in Retail and gain experience in all aspects of the retail industry.

The scheme will be one of the few apprenticeship programmes that do not require young people to have any qualifications or experience when they start. However, completion of the scheme will give them the equivalent of five GCSE passes.

Applications for the Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship open in June but to mark National Apprenticeship Week, young people can register their interest in advance.

The fully paid apprenticeship will take a minimum of 12 months to complete and will include a mix of learning activities and hands-on experience on the shop floor.

Tesco has called for reform of the government’s Apprenticeship Levy to enable it to increase the number of apprentices it takes on.

Emma Taylor, Tesco chief people officer, said: “Tesco has made a deep commitment to help young people in our communities, especially in those areas where it could be harder for young people to get a strong start in life.

“Our Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship is open to all young people but we’re particularly wanting to hear from school leavers who are aged 16-18 years who haven’t managed to obtain any GCSEs, as well as those with qualifications. We want to help passionate and flexible young people on to the work ladder and to make the first step in an exciting and rewarding career with us.”

“They will work hard to develop new skills, build their confidence and learn about all aspects of retail. At the end of the programme, we hope they will be ready to develop further and become a shift leader at Tesco.”