Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a major new scheme at Sainsbury's. The supermarket chain is launching the Modern Work Experience Programme, which will create around 10,000 opportunities for young people over the next year. The scheme aims to develop skills, build confidence and provide insight into future careers for those who may otherwise struggle to access employer networks, work experience and career opportunities.
Education system changes
This follows Andy Burnham's announcement last month of changes to the education system, including the launch of new technical education routes. The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.
With over one million young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment, or training – around one in eight young people – the Prime Minister has made clear that tackling the NEETs crisis is a national priority.
Sainsbury's role
As one of the UK's largest employers, with stores and more than 140,000 colleagues in communities across the country, Sainsbury's is uniquely placed to open up routes into work for young people in every part of the UK. The programme will be delivered across the UK, including England, Scotland and Wales. It will focus on areas where Sainsbury's can deliver the greatest social impact, particularly within communities with a high proportion of schools offering free school meals, and young people not in employment, education or training, helping connect education with real-world opportunities.
Official statements
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “The youth unemployment crisis has been ignored for too long. This Government is making it a top priority and bringing back hope.
“Last month, we announced a shake-up of the education system, with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes. Now we’re bringing employers, schools and colleges together to close the gap between the classroom and the workplace.
“It’s great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up with 10,000 opportunities to help young people build confidence, gain experience and get a foot in the door. I encourage more businesses across the country to do the same.
“Access to opportunity and work experience shouldn’t depend on who you know, it should be within reach for every young person wherever they live – and that’s what I’m determined to deliver.”
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, said: “Like so many of us, I started my working life at 16 and know first-hand how much getting that first job really matters.
“Few things matter more to us at Sainsbury’s than helping young people get on that first rung on the career ladder. With a quarter of our colleagues under 25, we see every day how much a first job can change lives.
“Far too many young people are growing up in the UK today without access to meaningful work experience, often because they cannot find the right connections or network.
“With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, the scale of the challenge facing us has never been clearer.
“Our new work experience programme will create around 10,000 opportunities over the next year, reaching the young people who need them most in communities right across the UK.”
