By Jade Wright-
The Co-op has announced plans to create thousands of new jobs, through bringing in 7,000 apprenticeships in the next few years.
The retail giant gave details of a £70 million commitment through its Levy Share service to create thousands of matched apprenticeships by 2030.
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The scheme enables levy-paying employers to transfer unused apprenticeship levy funds to businesses, charities, and community organisations.Since it was launched four years ago, the scheme has matched more than 3,800 apprenticeships, with two-thirds in the most deprived communities and a third in the care sector.
Claire Costello, chief people and inclusion officer at Co-op, said: “We launched Co-op Levy Share to unlock unused levy funds and turn waste into opportunity.
“Four years on, alongside our contributing partners, we’ve already channelled £40 million into thousands of life-changing apprenticeships, and today we’re going further, committing £70 million to create 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030.”
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The Co-op called for socioeconomic background data for apprenticeships to be collected, warning that without it, the system risked leaving some groups behind.
This comes as community groups in towns, cities and villages across the UK are this week celebrating sharing a £5m funding boost from Co-op’s Local Community Fund, thanks to Co-op members.
With a store in every UK postal area, Co-op members have a say how the £5m is shared between local causes, simply by choosing a community group close to their hearts via Co-op’s Membership App. Nearly 40,000 unique projects have been supported in communities across the UK since the fund began in 2016.
David Luckin, Head of Social Value & Community Engagement, Co-op, says: “Our local causes are making a huge difference in communities across the UK. As a co-operative, our members have a say in where and how our profits are shared, and our funding enables local causes to deliver projects that focus on the issues affecting people’s lives. We know that things are increasingly challenging for local causes, and our funding can make a real difference – helping people and communities thrive.”
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