Poundland steps back from work experience scheme
Poundland has become the latest retailer to withdraw from a government scheme which places unemployed benefit claimants in unpaid positions in return for work experience.
The discount retailer said it had suspended its participation in the programme while the government clarified its position on the scheme.
Poundland chief executive said: “We have taken recent findings about the mandatory work programme candidates very seriously and with further investigation have decided to withdraw from the initiative.”
The scheme hit the headlines last week when Tesco came under fire
for hiring unemployed benefits claimants on a four-week work experience scheme in return for no pay, just expenses and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
However Poundland said it would continue to offer voluntary work as part of a separate initiative.
“We recognise that candidates who choose the voluntary work experience option are passionate about getting into the retail industry,” said McCarthy.
He added: “We want to help these volunteers and will continue to offer this particular type of support. Unemployment is high and we want to give work experience to people actively looking for a career in retail. Gaining initial experience of working with a fast and busy retailer is a proven way to gain some valuable understanding of this exciting environment.”
