Asda is continuing its calls for the government to reform the apprenticeship levy, as the supermarket highlights its commitments to its own schemes.

The grocery giant revealed that in 2024, it spent a total of £3m funding apprenticeships for 214 colleagues, marking an increase of more than 30% year-on-year

It follows the retailer adding 12 new programmes to its apprenticeship schemes last year, bringing its current offerings to 80 initiatives.

However, its latest report, commissioned to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week (10 January) revealed that funding for apprenticeships was not being fully utilised. It noted that £7.7m of its Levy Funds expired and went unused in 2024, with Asda blaming restrictions on the type of apprenticeships posed by the government’s levy scheme.

Asda chief people and corporate affairs officer Hayley Tatum MBE said: “We are proud to offer a wealth of apprenticeship programmes that not only develop the huge amount of talent within our business, but also support wider small and medium businesses through the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme.”

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“With vital funds still going unspent, we continue to back calls for reform of the Levy Transfer system so more businesses can benefit. A more flexible and simpler system is crucial to providing more opportunities for young people to develop and upskill themselves.”

Elsewhere, Waitrose owner the John Lewis Partnership hailed its own apprenticeship progress, reporting that 5,000 partners have enrolled on its schemes since 2017.

Looking ahead, the retailer is to expand its T-level placements in 2025, with opportunities to work towards the qualification now available at places including its Waitrose Head Office and the Waitrose Farm in Leckford across four schemes – Management and Administration; Accounting, Engineering and Manufacturing; and Crop Production.

John Lewis Partnership head of learning and inclusion and belonging Ceira Thom said: “We are incredibly proud to have reached this landmark of 5,000 apprentices, they are key to partner learning and development – helping us continue to be a brilliant retailer and fulfil our Partnership Plan.

“The Partnership is continuing to invest in partners’ development by offering over 30 different apprenticeship schemes in 2025 – reflecting the full spectrum of roles in retail – as well as our commitment to attract care experienced people to roles in our business.”

Last week, Co-op launched a ‘Women in Leadership’ apprenticeship programme in logistics, providing a launchpad for individuals to step into management positions in the sector.