Sainsbury's has launched a new work experience programme that will provide around 10,000 opportunities for young people over the next year as part of efforts to improve access to careers in retail.

The initiative, called KickStarter, will offer practical work experience across Sainsbury's stores, depots, and support offices.

The retailer has also joined a pilot programme with The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) to help develop a new approach to work experience across the grocery sector.

Sainsbury's said the programme aims to give young people a series of employer-led experiences rather than a single week's work placement. Activities will include workplace skills sessions, store visits and opportunities to meet colleagues from different parts of the business.

The retailer said research shows that regular engagement with employers during school can reduce the likelihood of young people becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET) by 80 per cent. More than one million people aged 16 to 24 are currently classed as NEET in the UK.

KickStarter consists of two programmes. KickStarter Explore is aimed at 14- to 18-year-olds and combines classroom learning with practical work experience. Developed with The School Outreach Company, it is designed to help students build workplace skills and learn about careers within Sainsbury's and the wider retail industry.

KickStarter Insights targets 16- to 24-year-olds and has been developed with youth employment charity Movement to Work and employability specialist Aim a Little Higher. The programme includes regional workshops covering communication skills, CV writing, job applications, and interview preparation.

Sainsbury's said it plans to deliver more than 5,000 places through KickStarter Explore and more than 200 through KickStarter Insights. It will create a further 5,000 opportunities through its involvement in the industry pilot with the CEC and IGD.

Participants will gain hands-on experience of retail operations, including store tours, introductions to colleagues across logistics, technology, and food, and insight into the journey products take from suppliers to store shelves. They will also receive practical careers advice and support with applications and interviews.

The programme will run across England, Scotland, and Wales and will focus on communities where young people have fewer opportunities to access work experience, including areas with higher numbers of pupils receiving free school meals and higher levels of youth unemployment.

Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, said that many young people are growing up without access to meaningful work experience as they cannot find the right connections or network.

“Like so many of us, I started my working life at 16 and know first-hand how much getting that first job really matters," he added. "Few things matter more to us at Sainsbury’s than helping young people get on that first rung on the career ladder.

"With a quarter of our colleagues under 25, we see every day how much a first job can change lives."

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