Peter Lamb welcomes major retail drive to create 100,000 jobs for young people

Young people across Crawley could benefit from a major new partnership between the Government and Britain’s leading retailers, designed to give thousands of young people the experience they need to take their first step into work.

The new programme will offer more than 11,000 two-to-four-week work experience placements to 18-24-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training. It has been developed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the British Retail Consortium (BRC), with retailers including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys and Costa Coffee.

Participants will receive 16 to 35 hours of hands-on experience each week, dedicated workplace support and interview experience. Placements will be voluntary, with eligible young people continuing to receive Universal Credit and receiving help with travel costs where needed.

Where a permanent role is available, a participant could be offered a job. Otherwise, they may be placed on the retailer’s talent bank or connected to an apprenticeship or another opportunity. Retail is one of the UK’s largest employers and has long provided a first step into work. More than 40 retailers have helped to develop Opening Shift to date, including Aldi, Amazon, Asda, Boots, Currys, Greggs, John Lewis Partnership, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next, Primark, Tesco and Wickes.

Alongside the launch, Britain’s retail sector has set an ambition to create 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training by the end of this Parliament. The programme also forms part of the Government’s wider £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy. This will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley said:

“Every young person in Crawley deserves a fair chance to get their foot on the career ladder. Too often, young people are told they need experience to get a job but cannot get that experience without first being given an opportunity.”

“Opening Shift is a practical way to break that cycle. It will give Crawley’s young people proper experience, support in the workplace and a chance to show employers what they can do.”

“This is a Labour Government working with business to open doors, build confidence and make sure the next generation has the opportunity to earn, build new skills and get themselves in the job market.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden said:

“This partnership will help young people to get the experience employers are looking for.

“Work experience can be life-changing, giving young people the skills, confidence and connections they need to take their first step into work.

“By creating thousands of opportunities in the retail sector, we are delivering on our commitment to help more young people build brighter futures, backed by our £2.5 billion investment to support the next generation into employment.”