UK retailers to create 100,000 placements for young people out of work
Summary
UK retailers plan to create up to 100,000 short-term work placements over the next three years for young people aged 18-24 who are not working, studying, or in training. The scheme, called Opening Shift, is supported by the government and aims to help young people gain skills, confidence, and job experience.Key Facts
- More than 40 retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Asda, John Lewis, Tesco, and Greggs, are involved in the scheme.
- The placements last two to four weeks and offer 16 to 35 hours of work per week.
- Participants will continue to receive universal credit benefits during their placement to avoid losing financial support.
- Each young person will be offered a "buddy" at work to help them learn and adjust to the role.
- At the end of the placement, participants are guaranteed a job interview, with potential for full employment.
- The UK has about 1 million young people considered Neet (not in employment, education, or training), with concerns that this number could rise.
- The scheme is supported by the Department for Work and Pensions and coordinated through the British Retail Consortium.
- Marc Bolland, former M&S chief executive, leads the taskforce and helped develop the initiative through his experience with the charity Movement to Work.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
