New apprenticeships at Sainsbury’s

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s is to create 400 apprenticeship places over the next year in a new scheme to train managers.

Retail is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the UK

The announcement follows news that employers will be able to develop their own apprenticeship qualifications to tackle skills shortages under plans announced by the Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said training standards and qualifications should be tailored around the needs of employers.

Sainsbury’s said the new scheme follows a review of the apprenticeships it offers.

Angie Risley, Sainsbury’s group HR director, said: “Retail is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the UK.

“At Sainsbury’s we are creating thousands of jobs for people who want fast-paced, rewarding and flexible work. But we also want to equip people with the skills and qualifications to develop their career with us.

“No amount of time spent in a classroom can teach our future team leaders and managers about what it takes to run a busy store serving thousands of customers a week.

“The Advanced Apprenticeship Level Three scheme will offer a mix of stretching vocational qualifications and hands-on experience over the course of a year to help people on the road to a promising, rewarding career with us.”

Meanwhile, the Government appointed two new apprenticeship ambassadors last Thursday with the aim of increasing the number, quality and impact of apprenticeships in England.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Apprentices deliver so it’s great news that Sainsbury’s are strengthening their apprenticeship programme and creating 400 places.

“We want to make going to university or doing an apprenticeship the new norm for school leavers so today we have set out our plans to reform the programme in pursuit of rigour and responsiveness.”