Young people across Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock who are not in employment, education or training could benefit from a new scheme offering work placements with some of Britain’s biggest retailers.
The Opening Shift programme has been launched by the Department for Work and Pensions and the British Retail Consortium. It will provide more than 11,000 placements for people aged between 18 and 24.
What the placements offer
Major retailers taking part include Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys and Costa Coffee. The scheme is intended to help participants gain practical experience and develop workplace skills.
Placements will run for between two and four weeks, with participants offered between 16 and 35 hours of work experience each week. They will also receive workplace support and interview experience during the programme.
Eligible participants will continue to receive Universal Credit and can get help with travel costs where needed. The programme is designed to support people into employment, apprenticeships or other opportunities after their placement.
Possible route into permanent work
Retailers may offer permanent jobs to participants where vacancies are available, giving some young people a potential route from short-term experience into longer-term employment.
The launch comes as the retail sector targets the creation of 100,000 jobs for young people who are not in employment, education or training by the end of the current Parliament.
Elaine Stewart, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, welcomed the programme. She said: “Every young person in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock deserves 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.”
She added: “Opening Shift is a great chance for young people to get practical, hands-on experience that is a stepping stone to a long-term career.”