Marks and Spencer has launched a new work placement programme to help young people gain valuable work experience and help them get onto the career ladder.
In line with the Government's Kickstart Programme the retailer has created 360 work placements across the country including Leeds and Yorkshire following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The programme is also in partnership with Marks and Spencer's long standing employability and Sparks charity partner, The Princes Trust.
The first cohort of the Kickstart Programme will see 180 placements distributed across 30 regional academy stores, this will include 18 placements including Pudsey's Owlcotes store as well as various stories in York and Sheffield.
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The second cohort will open the placements up at more stores across the UK and are currently set to run in June 2021.
The Kickstart colleagues will join M&S stores at York Retail Park (Vangarde Monks Cross), Meadowhall and Pudsey as Trainee Customer Assistants for the six-month placements rotating across Foodhalls, backstage operations, hospitality and Clothing & Home departments.
The programme aims to focus on communication skills, digital skills and build confidence, as well as gaining retail experience to allow trainees to become fully equipped for the working world.
Clare Smith, store manager at York Retail Park, said: “As one of thirty Regional Academy stores, we are delighted to be involved in the Kickstart programme to support young people gaining valuable experience to further build employability and life skills longer term.”
Frances Milner, director of fundraising at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We’ve been working in partnership with Marks & Spencer for more than 16 years and in that time have helped more than 9,000 young people to develop their confidence and skills for work.
"We are pleased to be expanding this partnership, particularly at this time, when we know young people are disproportionately affected by rising unemployment and ongoing disruption to education and training opportunities.”
M&S aims to support those applying for the programme to secure a permanent position where available across its stores, following the Kickstart placements.
All Kickstart colleagues will be paid in line with current in-store pay levels.
Applications for the April cohort are now open at Jobcentre Plus centres.
