Tesco has announced that it has expanded its apprenticeship programme by over 30% by including 3,000 extra people in its 2011/12 scheme.

The supermarket chain has also reported that it is receiving around 500 applications a week for its UK graduate schemes for 2012/13 – double the rate of applications as compared to last year. Tesco will have over 400 graduates starting across its 19 schemes this year.

Judith Nelson, Tesco's UK Personnel Director, said:

“At a time when the prospect of unemployment is a genuine concern across the country, we are working hard to create employment and training opportunities.

“This year, we will be welcoming our largest ever intake of new graduates and we are equally committed to developing the careers of our existing staff through our Apprenticeship scheme.”

This year’s Apprenticeship scheme includes:

• Apprentices aged from 17 to 63 years-old
• The launch of the Apprenticeship programme in Wales
• 300 apprentices working across schemes in Scotland
• 300 new apprentices working on the new Dotcom operation and Telecoms schemes throughout the year

Apprenticeship schemes have been growing in popularity among British companies due to their effectiveness at securing a continuous supply of skilled workers.

Posted by Beth O’Shea

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