The cost of living crisis has affected all aspects of life worldwide, and a recent study from Career Ready and Total Jobs showed that 24% of young talent believed university wasn’t an option because of the associated costs. This is why, as a part of its continued focus on making the working lives of colleagues richer in the Society, Central Co-op wants to ensure that development is an option for colleagues and has announced the launch of its Debt Free Degrees programme in conjunction with GetMyFirstJob and Arden University.
This will include Chartered Manager degree apprenticeships at level 6, with opportunities in retail and the funeral business. These individuals will develop their skills, knowledge, and behaviours in the role, with the intention of becoming leaders of the future.
These Chartered Manager apprenticeships will be open to both internal colleagues and external candidates, as Central Co-op is keen to attract talent while also fostering growth from talented colleagues already within the Society.
Upon completion, colleagues will earn Chartered Manager, BA Hons and CMI leadership qualifications, and the course will cover modules ranging from communication and business finance to data analysis and decision making.
Central Co-op is also exploring other level 6 apprenticeships for internal colleagues to apply for, including marketing, IT, digital, and commercial. These will develop skills for colleagues and give the top talent in the Society opportunities for development and growth.
Development of youth talent is a big priority for Central Co-op, which is why earlier this year it committed to offering 300 work experience placements in the next year, at the same time launching a scheme called ‘Adopt a School’, through which stores and funeral homes can support their local schools, colleges, and universities by offering employability initiatives, building on the existing community links at the heart of the Society. Schools or colleges interested in working with us are encouraged to contact their local food store or funeral home.
Central Co-op also launched its Funeral Apprenticeship Programme earlier this year, in which opportunities have been offered for people to join the Society as a Funeral Service Assistant Apprentice, completing a Level 2 Funeral Team Member apprenticeship. This is an 18-month programme where apprentices will learn all they need to become a Funeral Service Assistant.
Nicola Thomas, early careers manager, said: “People don’t always think it’s possible to get advanced qualifications like degrees, especially with the cost of living crisis, and at Central Co-op we wanted to make sure that people know they can progress here. It is important for us to foster youth talent, and this is just one of the many ways we’re ensuring that opportunities are open for everyone to grow their skills and pursue career development. We are a caring community, and that extends to those wanting a structured career path with us.”
Applications are open here, and the first assessment centres in the programmes should start in August.
