Tesco replied without really answering my questions. You can reduce the response down to corporate bullshit….
Dear Ms Whittle
Thank you for your email to Philip Clarke our Chief Executive about our participation in a government-led work experience programme. I have been asked to respond on Philip’s behalf and would like to apologise for the delay in getting back to you.
At Tesco we take our responsibility as Britain’s biggest private sector employer seriously. We are committed to playing our part to help tackle unemployment in these challenging times and are creating 7,000 new jobs this year, despite the difficult economic climate.
At a time of record youth unemployment we are particularly committed to providing opportunities for young people. First and foremost this means providing jobs for young people: we employ over 70,000 people under the age of 25, or a quarter of our workforce. In addition, and in response to your question, we are participating in a government-led work experience scheme to help give young people valuable experience of the workplace. The young people taking part in this programme do not replace or substitute for our permanent staff and I am pleased to say that over 300 of them have so far gone on to get permanent employment with us.
This builds on our strong track record of giving opportunities to the hardest to reach in society. We recruit on attitude, not qualifications, giving everyone the opportunity to get a job and to get on. Last month we opened our 40th Regeneration Partnership store, with a third of new jobs reserved for people who have been out of work for six months or more. These schemes have so far provided over 4,500 jobs for the long-term unemployed.
We remain committed to doing what we can in these difficult times to providing opportunities and employment.
Yours sincerely
Nicola Buchan
Customer Service Executive
