Marks & Spencer has committed to training nearly 2,000 young individuals over three years.
- The Marks & Start programme celebrates its 20th anniversary, having supported 30,000 people.
- Partnership with The King’s Trust has facilitated employment for 12,000 young people.
- The programme focuses on equipping youth with essential employment skills.
- Four out of five participants find career opportunities post-programme.
Marks & Spencer has announced a significant commitment to support young individuals facing barriers to employment. Over the next three years, the company aims to train and support nearly 2,000 young people through its Marks & Start programme. This initiative is part of a broader strategy in collaboration with The King’s Trust. The goal is to provide these individuals with the necessary skills to navigate the job market and secure employment opportunities.
Celebrating its 20th year, the Marks & Start programme has already made a substantial impact. Having helped 30,000 individuals to date, and specifically 12,000 young people through The King’s Trust partnership, the programme has proved to be a lifeline for those struggling to enter the workforce. Participants receive guidance in areas such as CV and interview preparation, as well as money management skills.
The impact of the programme is evident, with four out of five individuals who complete it going on to establish careers within Marks & Spencer. This success rate highlights the programme’s effectiveness in facilitating career development and providing young people with sustainable employment prospects.
The initiative is championed by notable supporters. Marks & Spencer’s CEO, Stuart Machin, reflects on his own career beginnings in retail and underlines the company’s responsibility as a major employer to assist those furthest from employment. He emphasises the need for collaboration with organisations like The King’s Trust and Young Minds to extend support where it is most needed. Machin stated, “As one of the UK’s biggest retail employers, it’s our responsibility to help young people into work.”
Jonathan Townsend, Chief Executive of The King’s Trust, echoes the sentiment, acknowledging Marks & Spencer’s pivotal role in the success of their employability initiatives. He remarks on the transformative impact the programme has had over the years, celebrating the ongoing partnership that strives to overcome employment barriers for the youth.
This initiative represents a sustained effort to transform the employment landscape for young people in the UK.
