A total of 50 new positions are being made available in local co-operative retail stores as part of the Government’s scheme to kickstart youth employment.

Southern Co-op has started advertising the latest placements which are open to 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

There are also a further three roles at its head office in Portsmouth in recruitment, corporate affairs and communications.

So far, there have been 38 people employed by the regional co-operative via the Kickstart scheme.

The placements are spread across Southern Co-op’s head office in Portsmouth and The Co-operative Food and The Co-operative Funeralcare locations.

Sarah Kavanagh, Business Transformation & HR Director at Southern Co-op, said: “Unemployment has been higher in younger age groups for some time and unfortunately this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. It is clear to us that they need additional help now to get back into work or to take the first step toward full time employment.

“The Kickstart Scheme means we look for people aged 16 to 24, with the right attitude, and give them the opportunity to learn new skills whilst being paid.

“We expected it to take a bit of time for some to find their feet and get into the routine of work but, after about three weeks, we have been getting some great feedback. One manager described their new starter as ‘100% amazing’, ‘flexible, keen and willing to try anything’.”

The Kickstart Scheme placements are funded by the Government for 25 hours per week for six months and referrals are made on to the scheme via local Jobcentres.

The job placements provide opportunities to young people who may have been overlooked before due to lack of experience.

In order to help them gain as many skills as possible, Southern Co-op’s programme is also giving young adults a chance to gain a Level One Certificate in Employability Skills which is being run by Havant & South Downs College.

The stores accepting applications for this latest round are: Banstead in Nork Way, Bournemouth in Belle Vue Road, Castle Lane, Kinson Road, and Madeira Road, Bristol in Ashley Down, Memorial Road, Long Down Avenue, Pill’s Baltic Place, and Portishead’s Newfoundland Way, Chertsey in Fordwater Road, Chislehurst in White Horse Hill, Clanfield in White Dirt Lane, Cowplain in Milton Road, Denmead in Hambledon Road, Drayton in Tregaron Avenue, Ealing in Uxbridge Road, Hayling in Elm Grove, Haywards Heath in Franklynn Road, Holbury in Long Lane, Horsham in Guildford Road, Hove in Old Shoreham Road, Lee on Solent in High Street, Milford On Sea in High Street, North Baddesley in Seymour Parade, Parkstone in Penn Hill Avenue, Poole in Ringwood Road and Tatnam Road, Portchester in White Hart Lane, Portslade in Abinger Road, Portsmouth in Copnor Road, Eastney Road, Elm Grove, Fawcett Road, Great Southsea Street, New Road, Northern Parade Road and Twyford Avenue, Purbrook in London Road, Romsey in Abbotswood Common Road and The Hundred, Ryde in West Street, Shirley in Orchard Way, West End in High Street, West Ewell in Ruxley Lane, Wickham in The Square, Widley in Crookhorn Lane, Wimbledon in Ridgway, and Yapton in Main Road.

People interested in a Kickstart placement should speak to their local Jobcentre. For other vacancies at Southern Co-op, visit www.southernco-opjobs.co.uk/jobs/.