Co-op, the leading food retailer, has announced an ambitious initiative to invest £70 million in creating 7,000 apprenticeships by the year 2030 through its innovative Levy Share service.
The Co-op has set forth a plan to generate 7,000 matched apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years. This substantial £70 million commitment is designed to enhance skills and provide meaningful career pathways for individuals across the UK.
This announcement comes in response to a concerning trend; since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy by the Government in 2017, apprenticeship starts have plummeted by 31%. Notably, apprenticeships contribute an estimated £25 billion to England’s economy. The Co-op aligns with the Government’s objective to ensure that more young people gain access to “gold standard” apprenticeships, thereby fostering a more skilled workforce.
In addition, the Co-op has urged Skills England to commence the collection of Socio-Economic Background (SEB) data for apprenticeships. This crucial data will enable stakeholders to track who is accessing these vital opportunities and identify populations that are being underserved.
Since the inception of the Levy Share initiative in 2021, the Co-op has successfully raised £40 million. This program aims to dismantle barriers to employment and career progression, specifically targeting underrepresented groups. By facilitating access to high-quality apprenticeships, including those at Level 4 and above, the Co-op is playing a critical role in empowering individuals throughout the UK.
“We launched Co-op Levy Share to unlock unused levy funds and turn waste into opportunity.”
Claire Costello, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Co-op, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “We launched Co-op Levy Share to unlock unused levy funds and turn waste into opportunity. Four years on, alongside our contributing partners, we’ve already channeled £40 million into thousands of life-changing apprenticeships. Today, we’re going further by committing £70 million to create 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030.”
Costello further highlighted a pivotal point about social mobility: “But to truly drive social mobility, we need to measure who benefits. That’s why we’re calling on Skills England to start collecting Socio-Economic Background (SEB) data for apprenticeships. Without it, the system risks leaving some groups behind. Shining a light on access means we can target support where it’s needed most and build a fairer future for all.”
