Opening Shift – Work experience for 11,000 18-24-year-olds

Working together the government and business industry are working to give every young person a fair first step onto the career ladder – launching a major new programme offering over 11,000 retail work experience placements for 18-24-year-olds looking for work.

Tesco, Primark, Boots, Currys and Costa Coffee are among 40 retailers who are joining forces with the government to help young people find employment.They’re part of Britain’s retail sector’s ambitious target to create 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) by the end of this Parliament. Placements will last two to four weeks, with 16 to 35 hours of experience each week. 

Young people are too often told they need experience to get a job, but need to be given that first opportunity. People in Blackpool South deserve a chance to show their ability and commitment in work, so this programme will be a step forward in making sure our young people have that opportunity.

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

The Platform at my jobs fair – the Council's service for 16-to-24-year-olds helps them find a job, access training or education.

Where a permanent role is available, a participant could be offered a job. Otherwise, they may be placed on the retailer’s talent bank or connected to an apprenticeship or another opportunity. 

The programme forms part of the government’s wider £2.5 billion investment in helping young people into work and training. This will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

Who’s it for? 18-24-year-old Universal credit customers who are not in employment, education or training and are looking for work. 

What’s on offer? Two to four weeks of hands-on experience, comprising 16 to 35 hours each week, with workplace mentoring and interview experience. 

How it works? The Department for Work and Pensions will manage eligible young people referred through Jobcentres, while participating retailers will provide placements and wider support. 

Financial support: Placements are voluntary but participants continue to receive Universal Credit where eligible, with travel costs supported where needed.

Next steps: Where a vacancy is available, a young person could be offered a permanent role. Otherwise, they may join a retailer’s talent bank or be directed towards an apprenticeship or another opportunity. 

Getting young people into employment and training is a top priority for this government and this Opening Shift programme will help people in the UK and Blackpool South find retailing jobs, getting them onto the career ladder.