British Land supports young people through its Retail Training Programme

British Land, a supporter of The Prince’s Trust Get into Retail course since 2007, has been helping young people gain valuable work experience at 10 of its shopping centres and parks to up-skill the workforce of tomorrow.

For 2015, British Land expanded its retail training programme to help more young people gain the skills and experience they need to get a job in the retail sector.

Working alongside The Prince’s Trust, local partners such as Jobs & Business Glasgow and The Source Skills Academy and participating retailers, this year’s programme has benefitted 130 unemployed young people in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Kingston-upon-Thames, Peterborough, Plymouth, Rotherham, Sheffield, Speke and Stockton-On-Tees.

The retail training programme leads to nationally recognised qualifications and includes work placements, which give participants valuable hands-on experience and the perfect opportunity to meet potential employers.

Anna Devlet, head of community for British Land, said: “Supporting training, employment and education for local people is one of our Community Charter commitments so our retail training programme with The Prince’s Trust and our local partners is a perfect fit.”

“We are delighted that around two thirds of participants have successfully moved on to positive outcomes soon afterwards, such as work, education or further training, with others offered on-going mentoring and support.”

Tutor Anna Harman of The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield, added: “It is amazing to think just how far these students have come. These are students who found it difficult even getting to interview stage. This programme has given them an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents directly with Marks & Spencer and successfully go on to gain employment.”