Tesco recruits over 2,000 long-term unemployed

UKís largest private sector employer works successfully with the Governmentís Local Employment Partnerships and Job Centre Plus.

Tescoís new Regeneration Partnership store secures jobs for more than 100 long-term unemployed in the North West
As the Government sets about tackling unemployment, Tesco reports record recruitment of long term unemployed through its close work with Job Centre Plus and the Governmentís Local Employment Partnerships programme.

Mentioned by the Chancellor in his Pre-Budget Report, Tesco was one of the first companies to commit to the Local Employment Partnerships programme when it was launched by Gordon Brown in February last year. During this time Tesco has recruited over 2,000 disadvantaged job seekers; defined as those who have been out of work for 6 months or longer.

Tesco aims to recruit long-term unemployed in stores and distribution centres across the UK and today 119 jobs have been secured in Tescoís new supermarket in Cheetham Hill, inner Manchester. The store represents the latest to open under the retailerís Regeneration Partnership scheme and employs 241 staff in total. Through this scheme Tesco has been working with key organisations, including those local to the area and the Governmentís Learning and Skills Council, to offer training to these new employees in preparation for their new start.

Those recruited by Tesco through the Local Employment Partnerships programme join a workforce of 280,000 people across the UK and are given the opportunity to progress and enhance their skills with ongoing training through Tescoís accredited development schemes.

David Potts, Retail Director for Tesco said:

ìIn a time of growing job uncertainty across the country, I am very happy to announce record numbers of long-term unemployed people making careers for themselves at Tesco.

Last week we welcomed the Governmentís creation of a National Employment Partnership and today a further 119 jobs have been secured by long-term unemployed people at our new store in Cheetham Hill, taking the total to over 2,000 people.

This reaffirms our work with Job Centre Plus and the Governmentís Local Employment Partnerships programme to offer roles for job seekers who have previously struggled to find work.

He added: ìAs a growing employer, dedicated to creating a great place to work for all employees, our new staff members will be given the support and training they need to harness the potential and talent they can bring to our diverse workforce. These appointments also demonstrate Tescoís commitment to the community and strong desire to employ local people.î

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

ìIn this global economic slowdown people need more help and support than ever before to help them get back to work. The Governmentís Local Employment Partnership scheme has been a real success, with over 2,000 long-term unemployed people have been helped back to work through Tesco alone.

ìLocal Employment Partnerships are a great way to tap into local skills and talent to the benefit of whole communities. Since February last year when the programme began, more than 70,000 people have found work through these types of partnerships and we are determined to build on this success and provide real help for people to get back to work.î