Marks and Spencer is launching a traineeship for young people (Image: Getty)
Marks and Spencer has announced a new scheme that will benefit 1,000 people in the UK. The popular retailer is launching a training scheme to tackle the high rate of youth unemployment. The traineeship is open to 16 to 24-year-olds across the UK and Ireland.
The retailer said the paid scheme has been introduced to tackle the growing number of NEETs, a term used to describe young people not in employment, education or training. M&S’s paid scheme is expected to provide six months of training and further management training for successful participants. The retailer also confirmed that a degree is not required for the traineeship.
Retail director Thinus Keeve said: “We want more young people to see retail not just as a first job, but as a career with real opportunity, real responsibility and real progression…
“This programme is about opening doors for the next generation and giving talented young people the chance to thrive.”
According to official statistics, the number of NEETs is at its highest level in over 12 years, with more than one million young people identified as NEETs.
Former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Alan Milburn conducted a review of young people and unemployment, which found that 6 in 10 NEET young people have never had a job. Mr Milburn described the situation as a “moral crisis” which has “economic consequences”.
A review suggested that smartphones are playing a role crisis (Image: Getty)
He also warned of the risk of a “lost generation”, noting that the number of job and career opportunities for those wanting to enter the workforce was “not growing” but instead “shrinking”.
The review cited several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphones, health issues and the current job market as reasons for a decline in the number of entry-level positions.
The Government has unveiled plans on how to tackle the growing issue among the younger generation.
Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that young people who had been unemployed or out of education for 18 months would be offered a paid work placement to support their preparation for full-time employment.
On June 6, 2026, the Government also announced A new partnership between the Government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market.
It added that 400,000 students from disadvantaged schools will get AI and tech training, and that new AI bootcamp schemes will be introduced across the nation.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, said: “Young people deserve every opportunity to build a meaningful career, and that means making sure no one is left behind as our economy changes and technology advances.
“For too long, too many young people have faced a future with too few opportunities, which is why through our Youth Guarantee we are ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn.
“By equipping these young people with tech and AI skills, we are making sure that the opportunities created by this technological revolution are open to everyone.