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High street retailer Marks & Spencer has announced plans to create 360 new work placements for young people in the UK.

The placements at M&S will last for six months and are aimed at young people aged between 16 and 24 in the UK who are currently receiving Universal Credit.

The new recruits will become trainee customer assistants at Marks & Spencer and will work in various departments at the firm, including backstage operations, clothing, food halls, home and hospitality.

The 360 positions will be spread nationwide, including some placements at dozens of M&S’s training academy stores, and bosses say that they will try to help the trainees to apply for permanent roles after they complete the half-year long opportunities.

The recruitment drive, as part of the UK government’s Kickstart scheme, will see 180 young people join M&S in April and a further 180 two months later in June.

The announcement comes just days after TalkTalk said they would be offering 50 work placements in Salford as part of the Kickstart initiative.

Announcing the new opportunities for 16 to 24 year olds in the UK, the retail director at Marks & Spencer, Sacha Berendji, said: “Through our partnership with The Princes Trust, we’re proud to have supported thousands of people who face barriers to jumpstart their careers.”

“But now more than ever, as a result of the pandemic, we know the challenges to find work are even greater for young people.”

“That’s why, we’re proud to play our part by backing the government’s Kickstart scheme and helping to build essential employability and skills to improve their chances of finding long-term careers,” added Mr Berendji.

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