Asda is trialling a new three-tiered school engagement programme designed to help pupils develop career skills and showcase the breadth of careers of offer at the supermarket and within the wider food and drink industry.

Running for the duration of the academic year, the initiative, which looks to encourage community engagement across primary, secondary, and college student year groups, will be trialled within ten schools and colleges in West Yorkshire. Asda is encouraging students from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate.

Each programme will align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and specific ESG related content such as food waste, a circular economy, and inclusivity.

Within the programme, primary school children will learn about sustainability issues such as food waste and hunger, working with their local Asda Community Champions and planning a project that could improve their local community.

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Secondary school students will be tasked with a “concept to shelf” project throughout the year that will see them discover careers that a retailer like Asda has to offer with a particular focus on developing a sustainable vegan product.

The grocer said that participating students will develop key employability skills including confidence, teamwork, critical thinking, and public speaking. Students will also have the opportunity to visit Asda’s head office and learn about areas such as product development, merchandising, technology and distribution.

Meanwhile, college students will be asked to solve a real-life business problem relating to an industry-wide equality, diversity and inclusion and sustainability issue as part of a Dragons Den-style presentation.

During the year, students will be mentored by the supermarket’s colleagues and attend Asda-led events to gain insight into different business functions, participate in mock assessments and employability experiences.

Asda chief people and corporate affairs officer Hayley Tatum said: “Through this programme, we hope to encourage students to take a keen issue in the important issues facing our planet, while demonstrating the breadth of careers on offer at both Asda and within the wider food and drink industry.”