Retail bosses and ministers have launched a groundbreaking partnership aimed at creating 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) within the time of the current parliament.
The landmark partnership includes a new retail work experience programme to help tackle Britain’s growing youth unemployment crisis and comes amid growing concern over the lack of opportunities and training for young people.
More than 30 retail leaders attended the launch of the strategy at the BRC Retail Jobs Summit in parliament yesterday. Also in attendance were Department for Work and Pensions secretary Pat McFadden and chair of the Young People and Work Review Alan Milburn, whose recent report on the jobs crisis called for industry and government action to tackle the situation.
Milburn’s recent interim Young People and Work Report warned that with almost one million, or one in seven, young people already considered NEET, the number could rise to more than 1.25 million over the next five years.
The new work experience programme, Opening Shift, has been developed by leading retailers through the BRC and the DWP with Marc Bolland, former M&S and Morrisons boss, who was appointed lead non-executive director at the DWP in May, tasked with convening business leaders to help address the number of NEETs.
‘No experience, no job’
Under the scheme retailers will offer two to four-week work experience placements to NEETs aged 18-24, helping them gain the skills and confidence needed to take their first step into work. Participants will continue to receive Universal Credit throughout their placement.
More than 40 retailers are involved in the development and rollout of the new programme, with 11,305 placements already pledged.
The BRC revealed every participant will receive an interview at the end of their placement, with the goal of moving as many as possible into a role within the company if one is available.
It said evidence shows high-quality work experience can significantly improve the life opportunities of young people, and help break the “no experience, no job” loop.
On-the-job skills gained through the programme are designed to support 100,000 NEETs into retail employment by 2029.
The move is the latest major industry drive to tackle the jobs crisis by senior leaders in the food and drink industry. In June the IGD relaunched its Feeding Britain’s Future programme, saying it was a “bold” new programme to reverse the huge number of NEETs.
PM Andy Burnham said: “Too many young people are trapped in a vicious cycle where they need experience to get a job and need a job to get experience – leaving them stuck while the world of work drifts further out of reach. That isn’t right.
“It’s great news that retailers across the country are stepping up to offer thousands of young people the chance to get valuable work experience and a route into a job. Opportunities like these can make all the difference, helping young people gain the confidence, skills and connections they need to get started in work.
“My government is backing British businesses to invest, grow and create jobs, so they can open up more opportunities for young people and build the skilled workforce they need.”
Skills, confidence and connections
McFadden added: “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’re delivering on our commitment to help more young people build brighter futures, backed by our £2.5bn investment to support the next generation into employment.”
“Retail is coming to the rescue for tens of thousands of young people struggling to take their first steps on the career ladder,” said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson. “Too many are trapped in a no experience, no job doom loop. High-quality work experience is essential to fix this problem and Opening Shift is a major contribution to delivering it.”
Dickinson believes retail is ”uniquely placed” to make a difference on the NEETs crisis, given the industry’s scale and reach, touching every corner of the country.
”The challenges facing young people are significant,” she added. ”Work experience is a first step, and with the right conditions for businesses to invest and create new entry-level jobs, employers across the economy can help tackle it.”
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy added: “Tesco has a long history of creating opportunities for young people, helping them take their first steps into work regardless of their background, qualifications or previous experience.
“Through programmes like our Stronger Starts apprenticeships and the 5,000 new Opening Shift placements we’re creating this year in partnership with Movement to Work, we want to help more young people not in employment, education or training to build their confidence, develop valuable skills and take their first steps towards a rewarding career at Tesco.
“The retail industry has always been at the heart of local communities, providing jobs that are flexible, secure and accessible. The scale of the response from our sector shows retailers recognise the challenge facing the next generation and are determined to be part of the solution.”
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