Superdrug launches new apprenticeship campaign to push for progress across the UK

Accessible health & beauty retailer, Superdrug, has today announced the launch of ‘Rise Up to Level Up,’ a campaign that strives for progress in apprenticeship employment across the UK.

The campaign, fronted by TV star, one time apprentice and now business owner, Tommy Mallet, and backed by The British Retail Consortium, will see Superdrug employ 500 apprentices this year, double intake over the next three years and focus on five key areas where unemployment amongst the young is high, but apprenticeship take-up is low.

With an estimated 859,000 young people currently out of work or education, GCSE results expected to be lower on average thanks to a return to pre-covid grading, and growing concern that disadvantaged groups are being hit the hardest, apprenticeships are vital to the economic future of the UK and are an important option for young people as they enter the world of work.

Speaking on his involvement with the campaign, TV star and successful business owner Tommy Mallet says: “I am so proud that Superdrug asked me to be part of this campaign as this is an area that is close to my heart.

“With my ADHD and dyslexia, I didn’t have an easy ride at school and I left at 16 with no qualifications, before going on to try three different apprenticeships - so I really do have first-hand experience of how a supportive apprenticeship can lead you to the right path.”

“An apprenticeship can give you such a solid start and a clear route for progression in a career. We need to make sure we’re putting these options in front of young people, bringing in as many apprentices as possible and providing the ongoing support for success within programmes.”

The ‘Rise Up to Level Up’ campaign also reinforces the BRC’s calls for change to the controversial UK Apprenticeship Levy, to make sure that valuable funds are no longer wasted, great applicants don’t have to be rejected due to strict rules, more young people and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds can be brought into schemes and all apprentices are better supported to reduce drop-out rates.

Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “With retail transformation underway and industry jobs becoming more productive, higher-skilled and better paid, retailers have a wealth of exciting apprenticeships on offer.

“We are proud to support this ambitious scheme, which will showcase the wide range of career options within retail and grow the number of apprenticeship places, giving hundreds more young people and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds a rewarding start to their careers.”

Amy Davies, people director at Superdrug and Savers, says; “Our apprenticeship programmes are specifically designed to help, support and train every apprentice whilst they earn, to rapidly get where they want to in their careers and to cultivate and nurture the next generation of leaders in retail.

“Apprenticeships are such a great choice for young people as they leave school and statistics show they are needed now more than ever - so as a business that stands for equality and accessibility, we remain committed to doing what we can to increase our intake and improve our scheme.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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