A third of disadvantaged people who have been on a Marks & Spencer work placement scheme have since found jobs.
Statistics in the retailer’s second CSR report show that of 2635 people
given two- to four-week work placements in its UK stores during the
first year of its Marks & Start programme, 30 per cent found
employment, though not necessarily with M&S.
Fully 90 per cent of those given placements said the scheme had boosted
their confidence and improved their chances of getting back into work.
M&S said it had been ‘surprised’ at how much difference such short
placements could make. A further 2635 places are being offered this
year to unemployed people, many of them disabled or homeless.
M&S says its flagship community programme has also benefited the
company. Some participants now work full-time in its stores, and almost
nine out of ten employees who acted as ‘buddies’ for participants said
that it had been a positive experience.
A knock-on effect is that some suppliers, notably in Turkey and Sri
Lanka, have introduced Marks & Start programmes themselves.
