Asda is to expand its school engagement programme in which Asda colleagues partner with schoolchildren to learn how to reduce food waste, improve packaging and boost supermarket sustainability, in the hope of helping them find “hidden” careers in retail.
The supermarket piloted the education programme in around 20 schools across West Yorkshire in October 2024. It will now be expanded to nearly 50 schools, with more than 500 primary and secondary pupils as well as college students set to participate during the 2025-26 academic year.
Launched with the aim of helping students improve their employability and problem-solving skills, while also highlighting the career prospects of retail, the initiative consists of three concurrent programmes, each tailored to a different age group.
As part of Asda Heroes, 200 children from years three to six, drawn from 20 primary schools, will work with Asda’s community champions on virtual student-led projects focused on tackling food waste.
For Asda Futures, more than 150 pupils will try their hand at designing a sustainable product range for an event of their choice. “Students will discover hidden careers within Asda while also developing key employability skills including confidence, teamwork, and public speaking,” Asda said.
In the final programme, Asda Leaders, 14 teams of year 10 and year 12 students will analyse Asda’s ESG report and develop solutions to a real business ESG challenge. They will present their ideas in a Dragons’ Den-style format to Asda colleagues.
During the programme, local schoolchildren will also be invited to Asda House in Leeds for in-person mentoring sessions. They’ll also take part in mock assessments and public speaking assessments. Asda also aims to highlight the range of careers it can offer across its operations, as well as helping children “explore hidden careers in retail”.
“We’re proud to be expanding our school engagement programme after such a successful first year,” said Asda head of learning Emma Brough.
“By connecting students with real-world challenges and career opportunities, we’re helping to build confidence, creativity and a sense of purpose in the next generation. We’re proud to play an active role in showing young people they can make a difference – in their communities and in their future careers.”
Asda was expanding the programme after “overwhelmingly positive feedback” from pilot schools, with many reporting improved student confidence, engagement and awareness of career prospects in retail and sustainability.
The programme would focus on educating students about “key world issues” such as packaging pollution and food waste, in a way that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as Asda’s own ESG priorities.
It adds to Asda’s ongoing work to support education alongside its Cashpot for Schools fundraising campaign, which launched in 2024.
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