Wholesale businesses are being urged to play a greater role in tackling Britain’s youth employment crisis by creating opportunities for young people to enter the workforce, develop essential skills and build rewarding careers.
The call comes from HIT Training as part of The Opportunity Provider (TOP), as it launches its national ‘First Job. Future Career.’ campaign into the wholesale sector.
Central to the campaign is Commit to Youth, an initiative encouraging employers to make measurable commitments to creating opportunities for young people, supported by appropriate training and clear pathways for progression.
The campaign comes as the Government prepares to publish the next stage of Alan Milburn’s Independent Review into Young People and Work, following his interim findings earlier this year.
With an estimated 981,000 young people aged 16–24 not in education, employment or training, HIT Training believes Wholesale has an important contribution to make as a career starter sector.
The industry provides accessible routes into employment across warehousing, logistics, customer service, sales and operations, helping young people develop confidence, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and commercial awareness. These highly transferable skills can underpin careers both within wholesale and across the wider economy.
Importantly, the campaign also highlights the significant financial incentives available to employers taking on young apprentices.
Under current Government arrangements in England, eligible apprentices aged 16–24 can have 100% of their training and assessment costs funded, up to the relevant funding limit. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy may also qualify for a £2,000 hiring payment for eligible new apprentices in this age group, while additional incentives are available for Foundation Apprenticeships. Employers can also benefit from relief on National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25, subject to earnings thresholds. There is also a 16-18 bonus of £1,000 for all employers of apprentices aged 16-18.
HIT Training believes greater awareness and take-up of this support could help more businesses overcome some of the financial barriers to investing in the next generation.
Mike Worley, Managing Director of HIT Training says:
“Wholesale is one of those industries that keeps Britain moving, yet its contribution to developing skills and launching careers is not always fully recognised.
“For many young people, a first job in a warehouse, depot or customer-facing role can be the starting point for developing invaluable skills, from working as part of a team and managing responsibilities to understanding the fundamentals of how businesses operate.
“Some will go on to build successful careers in wholesale, progressing into more specialist, supervisory or senior management positions. Others will take those skills into different industries and professions. Both are positive outcomes and demonstrate why wholesale has such an important contribution to make as a career starter sector.
“With almost a million young people outside education, employment or training, we need to recognise the potential of industries like wholesale to open doors and provide that vital first step into employment.
“But a first chance must also be a good first chance. Employers need to think carefully about how they recruit young people who may have no previous experience, and ensure they receive the support, training and encouragement needed to develop confidence and succeed.”
The campaign recognises the considerable operational and financial pressures facing wholesalers, including rising employment costs, tight margins and the need to maintain productivity.
It also highlights the important role apprenticeships can play in helping employers develop both new recruits and existing employees, strengthening workforce capability and creating opportunities for progression.
Mike continued:
“Investing in the people already within a business is every bit as important as attracting new talent. When an existing employee progresses into a more skilled or senior role, it can create an opportunity for someone else to take their first step into employment.
“Wholesale businesses shouldn’t have to choose between supporting existing teams and creating opportunities for young people. Both are fundamental to developing a strong and sustainable workforce.”
Through Commit to Youth, wholesale businesses are encouraged to review recruitment practices, remove unnecessary experience requirements, consider relevant apprenticeship pathways, provide appropriate workplace support and establish visible career development opportunities.
HIT Training can work with employers to identify suitable apprenticeship opportunities, support recruitment and provide specialist training and development.
The company is calling on wholesale businesses of all sizes to consider what practical commitment they could make to helping more young people access meaningful employment.
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