10,000 work experience opportunities for young people as Sainsbury's joins national drive to tackle youth unemployment

Sainsbury’s has launched a new “Modern Work Experience Programme” offering around 10,000 work experience and skills opportunities for young people starting in October. The initiative targets those who may lack access to employer networks, focusing on communities with high proportions of free school meal recipients and young people not in education, employment or training. Participants will engage in workplace visits, careers sessions, practical experience, and training on CVs, interviews, and applications across retail, logistics, food, technology, and business. Schools are encouraged to register interest through The School Outreach Company from September to facilitate placements.

The government has framed this as part of a broader effort to reform technical education and close the gap between education and employment. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new technical educational routes last month, aiming to provide 14-year-olds with early access to skills and work experience. The government highlights that nearly one in eight young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment, or training, making youth unemployment a national priority. Sainsbury’s, as one of the UK’s largest employers, is positioned to deliver these opportunities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Sainsbury’s states that the programme is designed to break the cycle where lack of experience prevents young people from securing jobs. The company notes that 6 in 10 young people who are NEET have never had a job, and employers cite lack of experience as the primary barrier to hiring. The initiative includes targeted support for older young people, such as CV writing, interview skills, and career planning, alongside introductory experiences for younger students. The programme will collaborate with The Careers & Enterprise Company and other industry partners to develop scalable models for broader expansion.

The government has welcomed Sainsbury’s commitment as a practical step to address youth unemployment, following earlier announcements like National Grid’s £5 million programme for 5,000 young people. The government emphasises aligning technical education with local industry needs to support economic growth and opportunity across the UK. Officials state they will continue working with employers, schools, mayors, and local leaders to expand work experience, skills support, and routes into work for young people, framing this as part of a mission to reindustrialise Britain.