Marks & Spencer has announced a major new traineeship programme, offering 1,000 places to young people across the country. The retailer, which has long been a staple of the British high street, says the scheme is designed to tackle youth unemployment and bridge the skills gap in the retail sector.
The one-year paid programme will be available to 18-24 year olds in 100 towns and cities, from Inverness to Plymouth. Trainees will rotate through departments including logistics, finance, and store management, with a guaranteed interview for a permanent role upon completion.
M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said the initiative was a direct response to the challenges facing young people today. “Too many school leavers and graduates are struggling to find stable, well-paid jobs with genuine career progression,” he said. “We want to show that retail can offer a future, not just a stopgap.”
The announcement comes as official figures show youth unemployment remains stubbornly high at 13.7%, with regional disparities widening. In the North East, the rate is nearly double that of the South East.
Unite the Union cautiously welcomed the move. National officer Rhys McCarthy said: “Any commitment to invest in young workers is a step in the right direction. But we will be watching closely to ensure these traineeships are not used to replace permanent, full-time jobs. They must be a route to decent, secure employment, not a revolving door.”
M&S has not disclosed the starting wage for the trainees, but confirmed it will be above the National Living Wage. The company also pledged to offer accredited qualifications in partnership with the Retail Trust.
For 19-year-old Kieran, from Newcastle, the news offers hope. He applied for 30 jobs after finishing his A-levels with no luck. “It’s demoralising when you can’t even get an interview,” he said. “If this gives me a foot in the door, I’ll take it.”
But critics point out that traineeships, while welcome, are no substitute for broader economic reform. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a national jobs guarantee for young people, funded by a tax on corporate profits.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “We need systemic change, not just corporate goodwill. The government must step in with a proper industrial strategy that creates quality jobs in every region, not just scattered initiatives.”
The scheme will launch in September, with applications opening next month. M&S said it would prioritise applicants from areas with high youth unemployment and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
For now, the announcement is a rare piece of good news for young jobseekers in Britain. But the question remains: will it be a ladder or just a sticking plaster?
