Crawley MP Peter Lamb has welcomed a new partnership between the Government and major retailers aimed at helping young people gain experience and move into employment.
The Opening Shift programme will offer more than 11,000 work experience placements lasting between two and four weeks to people aged 18 to 24 who are not in employment, education or training.
The scheme has been developed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the British Retail Consortium, with businesses including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys and Costa Coffee taking part.
Participants will receive between 16 and 35 hours of workplace experience each week, along with dedicated support and interview experience.
Placements will be voluntary, with eligible participants continuing to receive Universal Credit. Help with travel costs will also be available where needed.
Where permanent jobs are available, participants could be offered employment. Others could be added to company talent banks or connected with apprenticeships and other opportunities.
More than 40 retailers have helped develop the programme, including Aldi, Amazon, Asda, Boots, Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next, Primark, Tesco and Wickes.
The retail industry has also set an ambition to create 100,000 jobs for young people who are not in employment, education or training by the end of this Parliament.
Mr Lamb said: "Every young person in Crawley deserves a fair chance to get their foot on the career ladder. Too often, young people are told they need experience to get a job but cannot get that experience without first being given an opportunity.”
"Opening Shift is a practical way to break that cycle. It will give Crawley’s young people proper experience, support in the workplace and a chance to show employers what they can do.”
"This is a Labour Government working with business to open doors, build confidence and make sure the next generation has the opportunity to earn, build new skills and get themselves in the job market.”
The programme forms part of the Government's wider £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, which it says will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "This partnership will help young people to get the experience employers are looking for.
"Work experience can be life-changing, giving young people the skills, confidence and connections they need to take their first step into work.
"By creating thousands of opportunities in the retail sector, we are delivering on our commitment to help more young people build brighter futures, backed by our £2.5 billion investment to support the next generation into employment."
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