Asda has expanded its school engagement programme both in size and scope to help more young people develop career skills and make a positive impact in their communities.
The programme has now grown to include nearly 50 schools and over 500 pupils across primary, secondary, and college student year groups in the UK – nearly doubling in size compared to last year’s pilot in West Yorkshire.
The initiative aims to build key employability and problem-solving skills, providing students with the chance to take part in mock assessments and public speaking opportunities too. Local schools will be invited to Asda’s head office and will benefit from mentoring sessions from Asda colleagues, while a virtual version of the programme is also being offered to schools further afield.
The expansion follows overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers, and Asda colleagues involved in the pilot, with many schools reporting increased student confidence, engagement, and awareness of sustainability and career opportunities.
- Asda Heroes will now work with 20 primary schools, including five outside Yorkshire as part of a virtual trial. Over 200 pupils from Years 3–6 will take part in student-led projects focused on tackling waste in their local communities, supported by Asda Community Champions.
- Asda Futures will see more than 150 pupils participate in designing a sustainable product range for an event of their choice. Students will discover hidden careers within Asda while also developing key employability skills including confidence, teamwork, and public speaking.
- Asda Leaders includes 14 teams from Year 10 and Year 12, who are analysing Asda’s ESG report and developing solutions to a real business ESG challenge. Students will present their ideas in a “Dragons’ Den”-style format and receive mentoring from Asda colleagues throughout the year.
Each school programme runs throughout the academic year and sets out to educate students on key world issues such as food & packaging waste, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Asda’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities.
The school programmes will also highlight the breadth of careers that Asda has to offer and help students explore hidden careers in retail.
Emma Brough, head of learning at Asda, said: “We’re proud to be expanding our school engagement programme after such a successful first year. By connecting students with real-world challenges and career opportunities, we’re helping to build confidence, creativity and a sense of purpose in the next generation. We’re proud to play an active role in showing young people that they can make a difference – in their communities and in their future careers.”
Asda’s school engagement programme was recognised by local industry awards earlier this year, winning the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Raising the Bar Awards 2025 for Education.
