UK Retailers Pledge 100,000 Jobs for Young Unemployed
Synopsis
UK retailers pledge to create 100,000 jobs for unemployed young people by 2029, launching a new work placement programme to build job experience.
Key Highlights
- British retailers will help 100,000 unemployed young people into work by 2029.
- New free work placement scheme aimed at reaching working 18–24-year-olds.
- There will be an initial availability of approximately 11,000 work placements.
- Britain has just under 1 million NEETs aged 16-24.
New Youth Jobs Being Trained By Retailers
British retailers pledged on Tuesday to create 100,000 jobs for young people not in education or training, a target they want to hit by the next national election in 2029. This is part of the government’s commitment to lower youth unemployment, which is rising
They announced a new initiative for young people aged 18 to 24, sponsored by the British Retail Consortium and the Department for Work and Pensions, aimed at equipping them with experience for permanent retail work.
It has led to a cycle which Prime Minister, who could be listening at least for some time in patting around youth employment.
Too many young people are caught in a vicious cycle: needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to get experience,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for young people to find their feet in the world of work.
In Britain, there are currently a little under 1 million NEETs, young people aged between 16 and 24 who are Not in Education, Employment or Training. That figure hit its highest level since 2013 earlier this year.
Information about the Work Placement Programme
The new programme will provide two to four-week work placements for 18To24-year-olds claiming unemployment benefits. Among the retailers involved for the scheme are Aldi, Amazon, Asda, JD Sports, John Lewis Partnership, Marks & Spencer (M&S), Morrisons, Primark as well as supermarket Tesco. When the programme launches, there will be 11,000 work placements available for starters.
Background on Youth Unemployment
Employer groups had previously blamed higher youth unemployment on minimum wage increases and greater employer social security contributions. Now retailers and their suppliers dominate youth employment in Britain, generating about a quarter of all jobs.
Source: Reuters
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