Marks & Spencer is creating 1,000 paid training places for young people across the UK and Ireland as concerns grow over rising youth unemployment. The retailer says the initiative is aimed at helping 16- to 24-year-olds who are not currently in employment, education, or training.
The announcement comes as new figures and recent reviews highlight increasing difficulties for young people entering the workforce. More than one million young people are now classified as not being in employment, education, or training (Neet), while employers, policymakers, and researchers continue to debate the causes behind the trend.
M&S Targets Young People Struggling to Enter the Workforce
Marks & Spencer said its new program will create 1,000 training opportunities over the next 18 months. The paid scheme is designed for young people aged 16 to 24 and focuses on those facing barriers to employment or career development.
Participants will receive six months of training, after which successful candidates can continue their development with further training aimed at preparing them for store management positions. The company said applicants do not need a university degree to qualify.
According to M&S Retail Director Thinus Keeve, the company wants more young people to view retail as a long-term career rather than simply a first job. Keeve said the program is intended to provide “real opportunity, real responsibility and real progression” while helping talented young people develop their careers.
The initiative arrives alongside broader government efforts to improve employment prospects for younger workers. According to government announcements, officials have also launched a partnership with businesses and trade unions to examine how artificial intelligence is affecting entry-level jobs and how those roles may need to evolve in the future.
The government has additionally said that 400,000 students in disadvantaged schools will receive AI and technology training intended to support access to education, training, and employment opportunities.
New Data Highlights Scale of the Youth Employment Challenge
The M&S announcement follows the publication of a major review led by former minister Alan Milburn, which warned that the UK risks creating a “lost generation” if current trends continue.
According to the review, more than one million young people were classified as Neet between January and March 2026, representing 13.5% of all young people in the UK. The report found that six in ten Neets have never had a job, compared with four in ten in 2005. At the same time, 84% of young people surveyed who were classified as Neet said they wanted a job or training opportunity.
The review argued that entry-level opportunities have declined significantly. It reported that mid- and lower-skilled jobs have fallen by around 1.6 million over the past two decades, while hospitality vacancies have halved during the last four years.
Milburn said repeated job rejections have become a common experience for many young applicants. The report also cited several contributing factors behind the rise in youth inactivity, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, changes in the labor market, health issues, and increased smartphone use.
Government measures aimed at addressing the issue include a previously announced guarantee of paid work placements for young people who have been out of work or education for extended periods. According to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the policy is intended to help young people gain experience and move into long-term employment, as concerns about youth joblessness continue to grow across the UK.
