MP Alan Mak launched a national campaign by Superdrug to recruit 500 new Apprenticeships in 2018 following an announcement at the firm’s Havant store. The move will see an Apprentice placed in every other store across the country. Alan is also Co-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Apprenticeships, leading work in Parliament on apprenticeships.
The target of 500 Apprentices represents a significant increase on young people joining the scheme in 2017 and will provide a welcome boost to the Government’s target to reach three million apprenticeships by 2020.
The significant increase in apprentices follows the success of the Superdrug’s National Apprenticeship programme, which in 2017 has celebrated its tenth anniversary, making it one of the longest running retail apprenticeship schemes in the UK.
Over the last decade the retailer has helped 1,500 people receive a recognised apprenticeship qualification and this year is on track to reach 1,773. Superdrug’s sister company, Savers, has seen 655 colleagues complete an apprenticeship over the last decade.
It comes as Alan recently confirmed that his Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair will return again in March for the third consecutive year. Last year the event offered hundreds of apprenticeships at some of the area’s most prestigious firms. The fair will take place at Havant Leisure Centre on Friday 9 March from 10am to 3pm.
Havant MP Alan Mak, said: “Apprenticeships are a win-win, not only do they provide fantastic opportunities for young people, but they also deliver brilliant results for business. This is why it is great to see a major retailer like Superdrug make a real commitment to apprenticeships, having a successful programme for a decade and being more ambitious year on year by increasing the number of places it offers.
“Initiatives like this will play a significant role in helping to reach the Government’s target to create three million apprenticeships by 2020.”
Jo Mackie, Superdrug Customer & People Director said: “We’re delighted to offer young people the chance to pursue a career that they love. We’re committed to going above and beyond the usual apprenticeship model by offering a solid training programme, which puts our candidates at the heart of their training pathway.
“We’ve seen some fantastic results over the last ten years and moving forward, we see huge potential for the programme in preparing young people for a career in retail and lots of bright new talent for our industry.”
Superdrug is recruiting throughout the year with opportunities in retail, head office and in the distribution centres, and those interested should visit superdrug.jobs/apprenticeships.html
Picture: Alan Mak MP with some of the staff at Superdrug in Havant