Marks and Spencer has created 360 work placements in partnership with the government’s Kickstart scheme.
The scheme will employ people aged between 16 and 24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment for six months, paying them the grocer’s minimum wage of £9 an hour.
In partnership with The Prince’s Trust charity, the placement procedure will offer two Kickstarter cohorts, which will take place in April and June this year and employ 180 people per session.
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The roles will span across Marks and Spencer’s 30 Regional Academy stores across the UK.
According to the retailer, the initiative will teach its employees essential skills such as resilience and wellbeing, communication, and building confidence in the workplace.
“As a result of the pandemic, we know the challenges to find work are even greater for young people,” retail and property director Sacha Berendji said.
“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.”
The M&S and The Prince’s Trust collaboration has supported over 20,000 young people since 2004.
