Marks and Spencer has announced a commitment to aid 2,000 young individuals facing employment barriers.
- This commitment is part of a multi-year collaboration with The King’s Trust, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
- The Marks & Start programme is designed to provide critical skills, enabling young people to secure employment.
- In previous years, the programme has successfully integrated 30,000 individuals into the workforce.
- M&S seeks to create opportunities, emphasising skill development and sustained career growth for participants.
Marks and Spencer has reaffirmed its ongoing support for young people facing employment challenges by pledging to assist nearly 2,000 individuals through the Marks & Start programme over the next three years, in collaboration with The King’s Trust. This strategic initiative underscores their commitment to fostering employability among youth, particularly targeting those who encounter significant barriers to entering the workforce.
Celebrating its 20th year, the programme has a proven history of success, having facilitated employment for 30,000 people. Impressively, 12,000 of these individuals have benefited directly from the partnership with The King’s Trust, highlighting the impactful nature of their collaboration.
Central to the programme’s success is its comprehensive training approach which equips young people with essential skills necessary for career initiation. Participants receive training in CV writing, interview preparation, and financial literacy, ensuring they are well-prepared to embark on their professional journeys.
Reflecting on his own experience, M&S CEO Stuart Machin shared, ‘As a young boy, work gave me purpose as well as pocket money.’ His testimony reinforces the importance of early work exposure. He recognises the company’s role as a major UK employer in extending support to those distanced from employment.
The King’s Trust’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Townsend, expressed pride in the partnership, emphasising M&S’s role as a driving force in their employment initiatives. He states that the collaboration has been vital in breaking down barriers for thousands, transforming their futures with a pioneering spirit and a shared vision for positive societal impact.
Through strategic partnerships and targeted programmes, M&S continues to play a vital role in empowering young people to overcome employment challenges.
