UK retail sector launches drive to tackle youth unemployment

A new report by Hilton and WPI Economics highlights a ‘first jobs’ crisis in the United Kingdom, where young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) are caught in an ‘experience trap’. This lack of prior experience is estimated to cost the British economy up to £14.4 billion annually in lost output. Research indicates that 24% of NEETs identify a lack of experience as their primary barrier to employment.

To combat this, a new initiative called the ‘Opening Shift’ programme has been launched. In collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions and the British Retail Consortium, over 40 retailers—including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Currys, and Costa Coffee—aim to provide hands-on workplace experience. The programme will initially offer 11,000 placements lasting two to four weeks.

The wider retail sector has set a target to create up to 100,000 jobs for young people by the end of this Parliament. Participants will receive mentoring and interview training while continuing to receive Universal Credit. Additionally, the hospitality sector is noted as a significant opportunity; filling its excess vacancies with young NEETs could provide a £2.3 billion economic benefit.