John Lewis Partnership to double its support for care-experienced young people in drive to tackle youth unemployment

• Partnership to recruit 1,000 care-experienced young people by 2030

• Also commits to pilot the Government's new Jobs Guarantee scheme with 30 new Waitrose roles 

• Partnership calls on Government to unlock Growth and Skills Levy funding for pre-employment training for marginalised groups

The John Lewis Partnership has committed to offering a further 1,000 roles to young people who have experienced care by 2030, more than doubling its previous target.

The move builds on the success of the Partnership's Building Happier Futures programme, launched in October 2022, to support young people who have grown up in the care system into employment. 

This group, which includes those who have been in foster care, children's homes or under local authority guardianship, faces some of the steepest barriers to work. Care leavers are more likely to experience unemployment, housing instability and contact with the criminal justice system than their peers. 

Since Building Happier Futures launched, it has offered jobs to over 450 care-experienced young people and provided more than 1,700 welcome visits and 1,200 job shadowing placements. Under the new commitment, the Partnership will offer at least 250 roles a year, more than double the yearly average to date.

Many roles will be permanent positions, offering individuals the chance to build a long-term career within the Partnership. Where roles are seasonal or fixed-term, participants benefit from the same tailored employability programme to boost their skills and confidence and support them towards the next step in their career. 

Standard employment programmes often fail to address their specific needs, so Building Happier Futures was designed specifically for them, by people with lived experience of the care system.

The programme is now active at all John Lewis Partnership sites across the UK, including John Lewis and Waitrose shops, offices, warehouses and its five hotels. It is delivered by employees (or Partners, as they’re known within the business) with Care Aware training, equipping them to understand and support care-experienced people.

The commitment to care-experienced people comes ahead of Employee Ownership Day (Friday 19 June), as official figures confirm more than one million young people in the UK are not in employment, education or training (NEET), the highest figure in over a decade. Alan Milburn’s independent review, commissioned by the Government, named care-experienced young people as one of the four highest-risk NEET cohorts.

Jason Tarry, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: "Retail has long offered that all-important first foot on the career ladder. It's vital that we continue stepping up to support young people, especially those facing significant barriers to employment.

"As an employee-owned business, we’re able to make decisions that benefit society over shareholders, and Building Happier Futures is a shining example. Four years in and it’s needed more than ever, so we’re doubling down on our commitment."

Author, broadcaster and presenter, Ashley John-Baptiste, grew up in care, moving between five different homes before the age of 18. He now sits on the advisory group for Building Happier Futures, using his own experience to help the Partnership shape the programme. 

Ashley said: "Having been involved in the programme since before its launch, I’ve been lucky enough to meet people who’ve already benefitted, and I’m delighted there will be so many more to come. This is more than just a workplace initiative. It's about  changing what it means to leave the care system - and for the young people it reaches, it can genuinely change the course of their lives." 

Jobs Guarantee 

The Partnership is also planning to participate in the Government’s new Jobs Guarantee scheme, initially offering 30 roles in Waitrose branches.

Open to 18 to 24-year-olds who have been receiving Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months, the scheme provides six-months of paid employment for 25 hours per week, with the government covering 100% of employment costs. Participants receive comprehensive support and training, including CV preparation, interview skills and ongoing in-work mentoring, to help them move into sustained employment. The Department for Work and Pensions will roll out the scheme nationally from 2027.

Government call to action

The Partnership, along with other organisations, is calling on the Government to allow employers to access Growth and Skills Levy funding, which is contributed by employers and ringfenced for workforce training, for short pre-employment programmes targeting marginalised groups. This would enable employers to fund the practical foundations that many young people from difficult backgrounds have not had the chance to build: CV writing, interview skills, IT upskilling and practical life skills.

The Partnership is also asking the Government to reconsider the removal of funded apprenticeships that support progression into management roles. These structured pathways are particularly important for people whose education may have been disrupted, and for whom a recognised qualification can make the difference between a job and a career.

Jason Tarry added: "The results speak for themselves and we’re sharing what we’ve learned to help other businesses develop tailored programmes. But we need the Government to act too. Unlocking Growth and Skills Levy funding for pre-employment training would drive action at a scale that goodwill alone cannot reach."

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "Care leavers face some of the most significant barriers to employment and that is a huge waste of talent and potential.

"John Lewis is a great British company and I welcome this commitment to roles for care-experienced young people and to our Jobs Guarantee, which shows what can be achieved when employers invest in the future of young people.

"This Government is already taking action to make sure no young person is left behind. Through our £2.5 billion investment in youth employment, we will support nearly one million young people, create up to 500,000 opportunities and ensure every young person has a clear pathway to work, training or education."

Notes to Editors

About the John Lewis Partnership

The John Lewis Partnership serves millions of customers as the UK’s largest employee-owned business, operating two of Britain’s best-loved retail brands, John Lewis and Waitrose, as well as John Lewis Money. 

Its model of Partner ownership supports a focus on quality, service and long-term value for customers, combining trusted sourcing with ongoing investment in its shops and digital platforms.

John Lewis serves customers with curated fashion, beauty, home and technology, combining quality products with market-leading service they can trust. With 36 shops and a strong national online presence, it creates inspiring retail destinations, bringing together shopping, hospitality and services in one place.

Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, offering exceptional quality products and expert service. It has 320 shops - as well as agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell - and a strong online business. It is a market-leader for animal welfare and sustainable sourcing.

Both John Lewis and Waitrose hold a Royal Warrant to His Majesty King Charles III. 

John Lewis Money helps to enable the Partnership’s retail strategy and deepen customer loyalty across John Lewis and Waitrose.