Sainsbury's Is Creating 10,000 Opportunities for the Next Generation of Retail Talent

For many people working in retail and hospitality today, that first job was the opportunity that started everything. Whether it was serving customers, working on a checkout, stocking shelves or supporting a busy venue, those early experiences helped build the confidence, skills and work ethic that carried them throughout their careers. Recognising how important those first opportunities can be, Sainsbury's has launched KickStarter, a new work experience programme that aims to create around 10,000 opportunities for young people across the UK over the next year.

The programme has been designed to give young people a more meaningful introduction to working life than traditional work experience placements. Through two tailored pathways, participants will gain practical exposure to the workplace while developing valuable employability skills. KickStarter Explore is aimed at 14 to 18-year-olds and combines classroom learning with hands-on workplace experiences, while KickStarter Insights supports 16 to 24-year-olds through workshops focused on communication, confidence building, interview preparation and job applications.

What makes the initiative particularly relevant is its focus on showcasing the wide range of careers available within retail. Participants will have the opportunity to meet colleagues from stores, logistics, technology and food production, helping them understand that modern retail offers far more than customer-facing roles alone. They will also gain behind-the-scenes insights into how products move through the supply chain, from farm to shelf, while receiving practical support with CVs, interviews and applications.

For those already working in retail and hospitality, this programme highlights something the industry has known for years: these sectors remain some of the best places for people to develop transferable skills and build long-term careers. Many of today's managers, directors and business leaders began in entry-level positions, gaining experience that opened doors to future opportunities and leadership roles.

The timing is important. With large numbers of young people still struggling to access meaningful work experience and employment opportunities, initiatives like KickStarter play a vital role in helping bridge the gap between education and work. Sainsbury's plans to deliver the programme across England, Scotland and Wales, with a particular focus on communities where young people may face greater barriers to employment and career development.

Ultimately, programmes like this benefit everyone. They provide young people with the confidence, skills and experience needed to take their first steps into the workplace, while helping employers build the talent pipeline that will support the future of the retail and hospitality sectors. If more businesses follow Sainsbury's lead, thousands more young people could gain the opportunity that so many of us remember as the first step in our own careers.

What this means for hiring. KickStarter is work experience rather than paid jobs, but it is built to introduce young people to retail careers across stores, logistics, technology and food production. If you are starting out yourself, store roles are the most common first step, and our shop floor guide explains how the career progresses from there.