Overview
- Marks & Spencer has opened its 'Not Just Any Career' traineeship to provide 1,000 paid places across the UK and Ireland, with six months of on‑the‑job training and leadership development.
- The retailer says the scheme is designed as a first step into management and does not require a university degree, with successful trainees able to progress onto further development toward store manager roles.
- The programme is being presented alongside government action to tackle youth joblessness, following the interim Young People and Work Review that found about one million 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds are not in education, employment or training.
- The Department for Work and Pensions has pledged 300,000 new work‑experience and Sector‑based Work Academy Programme placements over three years, with SWAPs offering short training, workplace experience and a guaranteed interview.
- Reports differ on eligibility and timing, with some outlets saying the M&S places target 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds and others 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds, while the company has said applications will open on 27 July and placements will be allocated on a rolling basis over 18 months.