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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.
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.
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