M&S to offer 10,000 work experience

Retail giant Marks & Spencer is to offer up to 10,000 work experience placements to people in the UK facing barriers to getting a job, including the homeless and disabled.

The company said that over the next three years its stores and offices will offer two to four week placements to help people find work.

M&S, which has already helped up to 600 homeless people experience work, said those on the new scheme will be allocated a “body” to act as a mentor.

“Being a mentor to someone who is homeless, unemployed or has disabilities can be both challenging and motivating and the experience will develop the skills of our own people,” said M&S chairman Luc Vandevelde.

Andy Westwood of the Work Foundation said: “This is a bold initiative to address some of the country’s most stubborn social problems.”

The scheme will be aimed at schoolchildren, disabled people, parents returning to work, the young unemployed, homeless and students.