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Asda offers 15,000 teenagers the chance of 'real work'
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Supermarket giant Asda is to offer 15,000 youngsters the chance of a week's worth of "real" work experience rather than simply making tea or running errands, it was announced today.
The 14 to 16-year-olds will get the chance to work in stock control, delivery and customer services this year, Asda said.
The company also unveiled plans for 15,000 of its workers to take part in a 12-week apprenticeship programme to improve their training and skills.
Andy Clarke, Asda's chief operating officer, said: "One million people under the age of 25 are unemployed, and it's probably going to get worse before it gets better.
"That's why I'm determined that we do everything we can now to help young people get a foot in the door. This is about giving them a hand up, not a hand out.
"This year Asda will offer 15,000 work experience places to 14 to 16-year-olds, plus 15,000 apprenticeships to existing colleagues, ideal for those at the start of their retail career.
"Despite having the lowest turnover in the industry, due to our size, we'll also recruit 22,000 new people to join our business and fill existing vacancies."
