Sainsbury's launches work experience scheme for 10,000 Brits

KickStarter will offer placements to young people aged 14 to 24 across the UK starting next year.

The scheme will run in stores, offices and depots nationwide.

The supermarket chain has identified youth unemployment as an "urgent national challenge," with more than one million 16 to 18-year-olds in the UK not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Research shows that "meaningful engagement" with employers can reduce the likelihood of becoming NEET by 80%.

Sainsbury’s describes KickStarter as a "fresh take" on work experience, offering "real, hands-on experiences" through two pathways.

KickStarter Explore, designed for 14 to 18-year-olds, combines in-school learning with practical work placements to build confidence, workplace skills and an understanding of retail careers.

KickStarter Insights targets 16 to 24-year-olds, focusing on communication skills and preparation for job applications and interviews.

Participants will tour stores, meet employees and learn about logistics, technology and the supply chain.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has welcomed the scheme, saying it's "great to see Sainsbury's stepping up" and he encourages more businesses to do the same.

Mr Burnham said: "The youth unemployment crisis has been ignored for too long so 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 are bringing employers, schools and colleges together to close the gap between classrooms and workplaces.

"It’s great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up with 10,000 opportunities a year 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 their 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.

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"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 and helping them build the confidence, skills and experience to take their first step into work."

The KickStarter programme will run alongside a pilot scheme with The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), collectively offering 10,000 placements.

Schools are being encouraged to register for the KickStarter Explore programme by contacting Sainsburys@school-outreach.com, while individuals interested in applying can email early.careers@sainsburys.co.uk.

Advertising for events is set to begin in September, with the first events expected to start in October.

Do you think this Sainsbury's scheme is a good idea for young people? Let us know in the comments below.