Marks & Spencer creates 360 placements to support Kickstart scheme
M&S is supporting the UK Government’s Kickstart programme by creating 360 work placements to help young people gain work experience.
Working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust, the retailer will offer two groups of 180 placements in April to young people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
The young people will join as trainee customer assistants for a six-month period where their roles will rotate across foodhalls, backstage operations, hospitality and clothing and home departments in M&S stores around the UK.
The training programme will cover core life and work skills such as resilience and wellbeing, communication skills and building confidence in the workplace. In addition, participants will be prepared to join M&S’s Retail Apprenticeship programme. There will also be a focus on digital skills and learning and participants will have access to a range of digital devices to work with to support their training.
Sacha Berendji, retail & property director at M&S, said: “Through our partnership with The Princes Trust, we’re proud to have supported thousands of people who face barriers to jumpstart their careers. But now more than ever, as a result of the pandemic, we know the challenges to find work are even greater for young people. That’s why, we’re proud to play our part by backing the Government’s Kickstart scheme and helping to build essential employability and skills to improve their chances of finding long-term careers.”
Following the placements, M&S will support Kickstart participants in their applications for permanent opportunities where available across its stores.
