Wolverhampton MPs back scheme to provide work experience for out-of-work 18-24-year-olds

Wolverhampton MPs say young people in the city could benefit from a new partnership between the Government and Britain's leading retailers, designed to give thousands of young people the experience they need to take their first step into work.

The Opening Shift programme will offer more than 11,000 two-to-four-week work experience placements to 18-24-year-olds 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 retailers including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys and Costa Coffee.

Participants will receive 16-35 hours work experience each week, dedicated workplace support and interview experience. Placements will be voluntary, with eligible young people continuing to receive Universal Credit and receiving help with travel costs where needed.

Those taking part may be offered permanent roles where they are available, or may be placed on the retailer's talent bank or connected to an apprenticeship or another opportunity.

Alongside the launch, Britain's retail sector has set an ambition to create 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training by the end of this Parliament.

Wolverhampton South-East MP Pat McFadden, who in his role as Work and Pensions Secretary will be overseeing the scheme, 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."

Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, said every young person in the city deserved 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,” he said.

"Opening Shift is a practical way to break that cycle. It will give young people proper experience, support in the workplace and a chance to show employers what they can do.

Mr Juss said retail was one of the UK's largest employers and had long provided a first step into work.

More than 40 retailers had helped to develop the scheme, including Aldi, Amazon, Asda, Boots, Currys, Greggs, John Lewis Partnership, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next, Primark, Tesco and Wickes.

The partnership was brought together with the support of Marc Bolland, the former chief executive of Marks & Spencer, who has been appointed by the Government to work with businesses to create more opportunities for young people.

The programme forms part of the Government's wider £2.5 billion Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, to support almost a million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

The Government has set a target of getting 90,000 Universal Credit claimants aged 18-24 into work over the next three years.