Co-op Announces £70m for 7,000 Apprenticeships by 2030

The Co-op, a major UK retail chain, has announced a £70 million investment to create 7,000 new apprenticeships by 2030, targeting individuals seeking career opportunities starting in 2026. The initiative aims to support training in underserved communities across the country, particularly in sectors facing staffing shortages.

The expansion builds on the Co-op's Levy Share scheme, launched four years ago, which redirects unused apprenticeship levy funds from large employers to smaller businesses, charities, and community organizations. These funds, which might otherwise go unspent, now cover training costs for apprentices. To date, the program has facilitated more than 3,800 placements, with two-thirds located in the UK's most deprived areas and one-third in the care sector. The new commitment seeks to nearly double this reach, channeling an additional £40 million into life-changing roles.

Claire Costello, the Co-op's chief people and inclusion officer, emphasized the program's goal of equitable access. "We launched Co-op Levy Share to unlock unused levy funds and turn waste into opportunity," she said. "Four years on, alongside our contributing partners, we've already channelled...