Co-op launches major apprenticeship drive to close ‘opportunity gap’

The mutual has pledged £500,000 to kick-start a new fund that will aim to close the “opportunity gap” and support individuals from underrepresented parts of society, including BAME and low socio-economic groups.

The Co-op has urged other employers across the UK to join forces to create a £15m fund that would support the creation of thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities.

The Co-op said the cash would be channelled from big businesses to smaller companies to improve employment opportunities for those who are disadvantaged by “systemic prejudice or economic deprivation”. 

The launch of the initiative comes in the midst of Retail Week’s own No Limits campaign, which aims to drive social mobility across the sector at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has widened the chasm between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ across Britain.  

Under the Co-op’s plans, designed alongside Business in the Community (BITC), larger businesses around the UK will be able to pledge unspent money from their apprenticeship levy to the fund.

Smaller employers seeking to recruit apprentices from underrepresented groups will be able to register, before being connected to companies with spare money. Smaller businesses will then be matched with candidates that align with their diversity and inclusion goals and requirements. 

The first tranche of cash available through the fund is expected to be dished out in April. 

The creation of the fund, which comes during National Apprenticeship Week, forms part of the Co-op’s broader plans to double the representation of BAME leaders and managers across its business by the end of next year. 

It also has an ambition to wipe out the “apprentice opportunity gap” for young people from BAME communities by 2023. 

Department of Education figures show that in 2019-20, 9,500 BAME young people missed out on apprentice opportunities.

Co-op chief executive Steve Murrells said: “Apprenticeships are a vital part of the lives of thousands of young people as they start their careers – and vital for the UK economy and business competitiveness. 

“At the Co-op we have identified a significant opportunity to make the system fairer and more inclusive, and benefit communities which are disadvantaged. Our levy-sharing scheme is designed to ensure opportunities are fairly distributed and we believe it will help close an ‘opportunity gap’ that impacts so many young people.

“At the Co-op we have ambitious plans to become more diverse and inclusive and create greater social mobility. We know we cannot do that alone and today I am calling on other employers to join us in this important initiative and on the journey to becoming truly inclusive.”