A new initiative, 'Opening Shift', has been launched by the government and leading retailers to offer work experience opportunities to young people aged 18-24. This programme is part of a wider retail sector ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) by the end of this Parliament.
The scheme will provide 18-24-year-olds looking for work with two to four weeks of hands-on experience, involving 16 to 35 hours per week, across more than 11,000 placements. Participating retailers include John Lewis, Currys, Costa Coffee, Tesco, and Waitrose. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will refer eligible Universal Credit customers to the voluntary programme through Jobcentres.
Marc Bolland, former Marks & Spencer Chief Executive, who was appointed by the government to advance youth employment reforms, played a key role in establishing this partnership with the British Retail Consortium. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden stated that the partnership will help young people gain the experience employers seek.