Retailers join government drive to create 100,000 jobs for young people

Young people are set to benefit from thousands of new work experience opportunities as some of Britain’s biggest retailers join forces with the Government to help tackle youth unemployment.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and British Retail Consortium (BRC) have announced a new programme called Opening Shift, alongside an ambition from the retail sector to create up to 100,000 jobs for young people who are not in employment, education or training by the end of this Parliament.

Opening Shift will provide more than 11,000 work experience placements for 18 to 24-year-olds looking for work. Participating retailers include Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys and Costa Coffee, alongside dozens of other major employers.

Placements will last between two and four weeks, with participants completing between 16 and 35 hours of work experience each week. Young people will also receive workplace support and interview experience. Travel costs may be supported where needed.

The voluntary programme will be available to eligible young people receiving Universal Credit, who will be referred through Jobcentres. Following a placement, participants could be offered a permanent job where one is available, added to an employer’s talent bank or directed towards apprenticeships and other opportunities.

The initiative forms part of wider government and industry efforts to help more young people gain practical experience and move into employment.

Find out more: Read the full announcement on GOV.UK