Tesco creates over 1000 jobs, opens four new stores

Three regeneration partnership stores will open in Woolwich, Hednesford in Staffordshire and Trafford in Greater Manchester, creating more than 990 new roles between them, along with a new Express store in the Cobalt Business Park, near Newcastle, taking the total new recruits to over 1,000.

The regeneration stores have ring-fenced nearly a third of their new jobs for local people who’ve been out of work for more than six months, helping to tackle long term unemployment in the area.

Judith Nelson, UK Personnel Director for Tesco, said: “We’re really proud to be creating 1000 brand new jobs in one day. 

“Given how close we are to Christmas, I’m particularly proud to be welcoming so many new colleagues who have previously been out of work for a long time.  These are permanent roles offering security, good rates of pay and generous benefits, along with the chance to get on and build a great career at Tesco.”

Earlier this year, Tesco committed to creating 20,000 net new jobs in the UK over this year and next.  The appointment of 1,000 new colleagues on Monday builds on the retailer’s programme to boost staff numbers and improve customer service under its £1bn investment plan in UK stores.

All new colleagues have received on-the–job training before starting work, but for the formerly long-term unemployed who’ve joined through the Regeneration Partnerships, that training takes place over six weeks and includes a Level 1 NVQ in Retail Skills.  They will all have the opportunity to develop through the apprenticeship programmes, foundation degrees and internal leadership courses on offer through Tesco.

Kirsti Hutton, a newly appointed Customer Assistant at the Woolwich superstore, said she was delighted with the opportunity.

“I’d been a stay-at-home mum for the last two years, having applied for hundreds of jobs and had very few interviews. I was over the moon when I was given this opportunity. The last eight weeks has given me great confidence and I’ve grown as a person in every respect.”

Tesco