Thousands of young people are set to gain practical experience of the workplace through a new programme being launched by Sainsbury’s this autumn.
The supermarket group plans to create around 10,000 work experience and employability opportunities across England, Scotland and Wales as part of an initiative aimed at helping young people take their first steps into employment.
The new Modern Work Experience Programme will begin in October and will include workplace visits, practical sessions, careers advice and support with skills needed to secure a job.
The programme is expected to focus particularly on areas where young people experience greater barriers to employment.
More than 5,000 places for 14 to 18-year-olds
One part of the initiative, called KickStarter Explore, will provide more than 5,000 opportunities for young people aged between 14 and 18.
Participants will be introduced to jobs at Sainsbury’s as well as careers across the wider retail sector.
Rather than simply offering a traditional one-week placement, the programme will give young people repeated contact with employers through practical activities and workplace experiences.
A second programme, KickStarter Insights, will target 16 to 24-year-olds.
Initially, more than 200 places will be offered through regional workshops covering areas including job applications, interviews, communication skills and preparing for employment.
Careers beyond working in a supermarket
The initiative will also aim to show young people that working for a large retailer can involve far more than jobs on the shop floor.
Participants will be introduced to careers in areas including technology, logistics, food, data and digital roles.
For students deciding what to do after school or college, the programme could therefore provide an opportunity to explore roles they may not previously have associated with the retail industry.
Sainsbury’s is working with the Careers & Enterprise Company and the Institute of Grocery Distribution on the wider programme.
Tackling youth unemployment
The announcement comes amid continuing concern about the number of young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.
More than one million people aged between 16 and 24 are currently in this position, according to figures cited by Sainsbury’s and the Government.
Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Simon Roberts said helping young people gain their first experience of employment was an important priority.
A quarter of the supermarket group’s colleagues are under the age of 25, giving the company experience of recruiting and developing younger workers.
The British Retail Consortium has also highlighted the difficulty young people can face when employers want previous experience for entry-level jobs, making work experience particularly important for those trying to enter the labour market for the first time.
Opening doors to young people without connections
A key aim of the programme is to make workplace experience available to young people who may not have family or professional contacts who can help them secure a placement.
John Yarham, Chief Executive of the Careers & Enterprise Company, said young people should have access to good-quality workplace experience regardless of who they know or where they live.
Marketing for the new programmes is expected to begin in September, with the first KickStarter events taking place from October 2026.
For students considering their next step after school or college, the programme could offer an early opportunity to build confidence, develop employability skills and discover careers they may not previously have considered.