Aldi is to double its apprenticeship funding for small and medium-sized businesses over the next two years.

The discount grocer will gift £2m to help businesses fund a variety of industry apprentices at different levels, in settings such as nurseries, care homes, healthcare and trades.

The commitment, which forms part of the apprenticeship levy gifting scheme Aldi launched in 2021, will take the amount of apprenticeship funding the supermarket has provided to small and medium-sized enterprises to £5.5m by the end of 2027.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

It is double the amount the grocer pledged over the same length of time in 2023 – a target it reached seven months early. 

Aldi UK training and development director Lisa Murphy said: “Apprenticeships can be a potential lifeline to young people looking for that first opportunity in a competitive job market, but they are equally transformative for businesses that embrace them as well.

“We plan to ramp up the number of apprentices we recruit this year. But not all smaller businesses have the resources to invest, and it’s often these employers that could benefit the most from a well-funded programme.

“Levy gifting is an excellent way for larger organisations to expand the impact of apprenticeships and we intend to use the scheme to its full potential in supporting smaller employers in our communities.”

In February, Aldi unveiled plans to recruit over 500 new apprentices this year across its UK stores and warehouses.

At the retailer, store apprentices can earn £8.61 per hour, rising to £12.07, nationwide and from £8.84 per hour to £12.72 for those inside the M25. Meanwhile, those in warehouse roles can earn up to £11.18 per hour, with Aldi being one of the only UK supermarkets to offer paid breaks.