The John Lewis Partnership has more than doubled its hiring target for care-experienced young people, committing to a new goal of offering 1,000 roles to those in the group by 2030.

It will offer at least 250 roles per year until the end of the decade, and said that many of these roles will be permanent positions. For seasonal and part-time positions, the organisation has committed to providing a long-term employability offering, including skills and confidence-building resources.

The John Lewis Partnership is the employee-owned parent company of John Lewis and Waitrose. It launched its Building Happier Futures programme in 2022.

It is intended to change job prospects for young people who have been in children’s homes, foster homes, or under local authority guardianship, and is led by employees with Care Aware training.

Since it started, it has provided these young people with 450 jobs, as well as 1,700 welcome visits and 1,200 job shadowing placements.

The organisation has brought the programme to all John Lewis and Waitrose stores in the UK, as well as its offices, warehouses, and five hotels.

Jason Tarry, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Retail has long offered that all-important first foot on the career ladder. It's vital that we continue stepping up to support young people, especially those facing significant barriers to employment.

“As an employee-owned business, we’re able to make decisions that benefit society over shareholders, and Building Happier Futures is a shining example. Four years in and it’s needed more than ever, so we’re doubling down on our commitment.”

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