Designed to open opportunities for 16-24 year old young people, M&S has created 1,000 training spots in the UK and Ireland over the next 18 months. The scheme will provide leadership skills, hands-on experience and clear pathways into a retail career, and applications do not need a degree to take part.
Participants will receive six months of training, supported by M&S leaders and store colleagues, with the scheme focused on practical retail management, confidence-building and hands-on experience in store. Successful participants can then receive further training to becoming an M&S store manager.
A recent report of Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work Review found that nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), roughly one in eight – and forecast to rise to one in six by 2030.
M&S retail director Thinus Keeve said:
"We want more young people to see retail not just as a first job, but as a career with real opportunity, real responsibility and real progression.
“This programme is about opening doors for the next generation and giving talented young people the chance to thrive."
Applications open on 27 July with placements made throughout the year on a rolling basis, with 1,000 available over the next 18 months.
