Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced a significant new training scheme aimed at creating 1,000 paid trainee places for young people across the UK and Ireland over the next 18 months. The initiative is designed to address what the company described as the growing youth unemployment challenge.

The program targets individuals aged 16 to 24 and is intended to help tackle the increasing number of young people classified as "Neets" – those not in employment, education, or training. Recent official figures indicate that over one million young people fall into this category, representing the highest level in over 12 years, or approximately one in eight young individuals.

A recent review highlighted the severity of the situation, warning that one in six young people could be Neet within five years if no action is taken. The review's author, former minister Alan Milburn, expressed concerns about a potential "lost generation," citing shrinking job and career opportunities for those entering the workforce.

M&S stated that its new scheme will offer six months of paid training, with successful participants progressing to further training with the goal of becoming store managers. The company emphasized that a university degree is not a requirement for eligibility, aiming to broaden access to retail careers.

Retail director Thinus Keeve expressed the company's commitment to making retail a viable long-term career. "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," Keeve said. He added that the program aims to "open doors for the next generation and giving talented young people the chance to thrive."

The launch coincides with broader governmental efforts to address the evolving nature of entry-level employment. The government has partnered with industry and trade unions to examine the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on these roles and to advise businesses on adapting job designs while maintaining pathways into the workforce.

This initiative also follows a government announcement that 400,000 students in disadvantaged UK schools will receive AI and tech training to support their progression into further education, training, and employment. Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted concerns regarding young people who had been unemployed or out of education for extended periods.

The current youth unemployment crisis is attributed to a confluence of factors, including the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the proliferation of smartphones, health issues, and a competitive jobs market characterized by a decline in entry-level positions. High street retailers and hospitality businesses have traditionally served as crucial starting points for many young workers, making M&S's investment particularly significant.