Archive · 8 Sep 2026
UK Retailers Join Government Plan to Create 100,000 Youth Jobs
The UK government wants to help more young people find their first jobs.
More than 40 large retailers are joining a program called Opening Shift.
It will offer short work placements to people aged 18 to 24 who are not working or studying.
The placements will last between two and four weeks.
Afterward, participants will be offered an interview.
Some could receive permanent jobs.
The government hopes the wider plan will create 100,000 jobs by 2029.
Supporters say the program can help break the cycle in which young people need experience to get a job but need a job to gain experience.
More than 40 UK retailers have joined the government’s Opening Shift youth employment initiative.
The retailers initially plan to offer more than 11,000 placements lasting two to four weeks.
Participants aged 18 to 24 who are not in employment or education will receive an interview after their placement.
The broader government program aims to create 100,000 jobs for young people by 2029.
Nearly 1 million people aged 16 to 24 were classified as NEET between April and June, according to official figures.
- Who
- The UK government, the British Retail Consortium, and more than 40 retailers, including Amazon, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, and John Lewis Partnership.
- What
- They are launching Opening Shift placements and a wider plan intended to create 100,000 youth jobs by 2029.
- When
- The placements are planned over the next three years, with the wider jobs target set for 2029.
- Where
- The initiative will operate in the United Kingdom; the announcement included a visit to John Lewis on London’s Oxford Street.
- Why
- The program aims to help young people who are not in employment or education gain work experience, skills, and access to permanent jobs.
- Program name
- Opening Shift
- Participating retailers
- More than 40
- Initial placement commitment
- More than 11,000 placements
- Eligible participants
- People aged 18 to 24 who are not in employment or education
- Placement length
- Two to four weeks
- Wider jobs target
- 100,000 jobs by 2029
- Recent NEET figure
- Nearly 1 million people aged 16 to 24 between April and June