Applications are now open to jobseekers in Salford to gain retail experience through next Marks & Start scheme
M&S Operations Manager & Pay SME, Kayte Houghton, who took part in of the M&S Marks & Start scheme in 2009, took her first trip to London to join Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey, Members of Parliament, senior leaders from M&S and The Prince’s Trust and even Percy Pig for a reception in the House of Parliament in Westminster to celebrate 10,000 young people completing the Marks & Start programme since 2013.
The event highlighted how M&S’ partnership with The Prince’s Trust helps support skills development and creates new job opportunities across the UK.
Kayte Houghton, M&S Operations Manager and Pay SME based in Salford, said: “I joined the Marks & Start programme at a very hard time in my life – I had just left an abusive relationship, was a raising my two kids on my own and living off benefits. M&S gave me the chance to better my life and that of my children.
“I started with a 12-week work placement in the pension team and I’ve been working at M&S ever since. These 13 years have been truly amazing, I’ve been able to work my way up the ranks to Operations Manager & Pay SME and now have a great team to look after.”
Marks & Start is a work placement programme that helps people from disadvantaged communities who face barriers entering the workforce. The M&S programmes don’t just give people an insight into a career in retail, but also create a clear, accessible route into work.
The current format of the programme has run since 2013 and gives young people (16-30 year olds) a chance to gain practical retail experience and customer service skills through a four-week placement programme. During the programme they are paired with a ‘buddy’ within M&S and also complete employability training, learning to equip them with the skills and behaviours to enhance future employment prospects. Those that successfully complete the placement are offered a 16-hour fixed-term contract. 81% of the young people who complete the programme go on to continue working for M&S.
Sacha Berendji, Group Property, Store Development and Technology Director at M&S commented: “We are delighted to have been able to celebrate the incredible Marks & Start milestone with our inspiring colleagues at Parliament.
“Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust has enabled us to level the playing field for all candidates and give young people the experience and skills to improve their employment prospects.
“We see first-hand the benefits and skillsets that employing young people from different backgrounds can bring to a business day in, day out which is why we will continue to develop our programme to help champion all our applicants.”
Jonathan Townsend, CEO at The Prince’s Trust, added: “It is a very proud moment to celebrate the 10,000 young people who have been supported over the past 18 years through the partnership between The Prince’s Trust and Marks and Spencer.
“Across the UK, there are too many young people lacking the confidence and skills they need, and who are not in employment, training or education. Therefore it remains crucial that we work with partners such as Marks and Spencer that, through the Marks and Start programme and more recently through the Kickstart scheme, can help disengaged young people develop the skills and experience they need to enter the world of work.
“We are grateful to Marks and Spencer for its ongoing commitment to our partnership and look forward to continuing to work closely together in the future.”
