UK retailers team with government as they target 100,000 jobs to tackle youth unemployment crisis
Retailers are joining forces with the UK government with the aim of creating 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) within the current parliament. The tie up comes with a new retail work experience programme to help tackle Britain’s growing youth unemployment crisis, announced at the Retail Jobs Summit in Parliament, alongside DWP Secretary of State, Pat McFadden, Chair of the Young People and Work Review, Alan Milburn, and over 30 retail leaders.
The announcement comes after Milburn’s recent interim Young People and Work Report laid bare the scale of the challenge facing the country. Almost one million, or one in seven young people, are considered NEET. It warns that this could rise to more than 1.25 million over the next five years. Too many are stuck in the vicious cycle of “no experience, no job”, leaving them shut out of employment opportunities, it is argued.
A new work experience programme, Opening Shift, has been developed by retailers through the British Retail Consortium (BRC), and the Department for Work and Pensions with Marc Bolland. Retailers will offer two to four week work experience placements to NEETs aged 18-24, helping them gain the skills and confidence needed to take their first step into work. Participants will continue to receive Universal Credit throughout their placement. Over 40 retailers are involved in the development and roll-out of the new programme with 11,305 placements already pledged.
Every participant will receive an interview at the end of their placement, with the goal of moving as many as possible into a role within the company if one is available. The on the job skills gained through the programme is aimed to support 100,000 NEETs into retail employment by 2029.
The Department for Work and Pensions will build a national pipeline via Jobcentres allowing NEETs to access these work experience opportunities. The work experience will be 16-35 hours each week and provide young people with the necessary skills and experience to then take their first step onto the career ladder with paid employment. Participants will also have a dedicated workplace “Buddy” to support them throughout their placement.
This new programme comes as retailers are also scaling up existing programmes working with DWP under the Youth Guarantee and with partners such as Movement to Work, the King’s Trust and the IGD to build employability skills, work experience and direct hire opportunities for NEETs and provide work experience for those still at school and at risk of becoming NEET.
UK PM Andy Burnham says: “Too many young people are trapped in a vicious cycle where they need experience to get a job and need a job to get experience - leaving them stuck while the world of work drifts further out of reach. That isn't right. It’s great news that retailers across the country are stepping up to offer thousands of young people the chance to get valuable work experience and a route into a job.”
“Opportunities like these can make all the difference, helping young people gain the confidence, skills and connections they need to get started in work. My government is backing British businesses to invest, grow and create jobs, so they can open up more opportunities for young people and build the skilled workforce they need.”
Marc Bolland, Lead Non-Executive Director at DWP, comments: “My work as Founder and Chairman of Movement to Work showed me first-hand what's possible when business and government work together to open doors for young people. Today's announcement takes that further, creating thousands more opportunities for young people to build a future in one of Britain's biggest industries and I'd encourage every retailer to look at what more they can offer.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
UK retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
