Tesco is creating 20,000 new jobs in the UK over the next two
years through a significant investment in customer service,
refreshing existing stores and opening new ones.
Starting immediately, Tesco says it will “invest
significantly in additional staff hours and training to boost the
customer experience”, which includes putting more staff on
fresh produce, fresh meat, bakery and counter services. The new
jobs are part of Tesco’s programme to improve and refresh its
stores and open new ones and will focus on tackling youth
unemployment . Tesco will also give young people the opportunity
to carry on learning by expanding its apprenticeship programme to
provide 10,000 apprenticeships, with a significant proportion for
new starters.
The news was welcomed by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said
in a statement, “This is a massive confidence boost for the
UK economy. Tesco is one of the world’s leading companies and the
biggest private sector employer in this country. Their commitment
to creating jobs and opportunities for young people at what is a
difficult time for the economy is fantastic news for the UK as a
whole and for those people they will help into work.”
The supermarket recently came under fire for taking part in a
government-backed work experience scheme. Likened to
“slavery” by its critics, the scheme does not pay
youngsters wages, but rather continues to honour benefits
payments. However, if they leave placements early, participants
could see their benefits stopped. Tesco has revised its terms to
allow young people to remain on the government work experience
scheme or to choose to be paid by Tesco for a four-week placement
with the promise of a guaranteed job at the end of it, provided
they complete the programme “satisfactorily”. The
government has also since announced changes to the scheme
following the backlash.
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