Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has called on the retail industry to get behind apprenticeships and vastly increase the number on offer.
Leahy said apprenticeships are good for business. “We’re not doing it because it makes us feel good, we’re doing it because it makes us a more successful and profitable company,” he said.
Speaking at a Skillsmart Retail event this week, he added: “If we look after, train and develop our people, they will know what it takes to look after customers and the business will be a success.”
His speech follows the Government’s announcement last Friday that there will funding for 120,000 new apprenticeships for the under-25s and a further 30,000 for older workers across the UK.
There are 5,000 apprentice placements in the retail sector at present. It is hoped that number will double by 2013.
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