Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Superdrug and Phones 4u agree to increases
08 December 2008
Some of the UK’s biggest retailers have committed to increasing their apprenticeships in the coming year despite the economic downturn.
Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Superdrug and Phones 4u are among those to make large increases in apprentice numbers, in support of the government’s efforts to boost skills.
Sainsbury’s has pledged to have 465 apprentices, one for each of its stores, by 2010, which would represent a quadrupling of the present level. Tesco will enrol 800 apprentices next year, double the previous number, while Superdrug and Phones 4u each plan to increase their programmes to 1,000 apprentices each.
John Denham, skills secretary, said: “This shows that we are well on the way to making apprenticeships a mainstream option for young people who want to get on. We anticipate that one in five of all young people will be undertaking an apprenticeship by the end of the next decade.”
David Way, national director of skills at the Learning and Skills Council, said: “It’s encouraging to see such large companies increasing their apprenticeship programmes. This is proof that apprenticeships make things happen; helping businesses to improve productivity, helping individuals to have successful and rewarding careers and ensuring that the country is able to compete in the global market.”
Ministers are also hoping to create 7,000 apprentices in the construction sector in the next three years, influencing employers through the award of public sector procurement contracts. The same method will be used to increase the reach of apprenticeships in the IT sector.
The new Children, Skills and Learning Bill announced last week in the Queen's Speech will give all suitably qualified young people a legal right to an apprenticeship from 2013.
It will also create a National Apprenticeship Service to match young people with employers offering apprenticeships. Simon Waugh, chairman of financial advisory company AWD Group, has been appointed the first chief executive of the new service.