Tesco today changes the world of work for young people making their entrance into the workplace, with the launch of Debut – a ground-breaking new scheme for everyone aged 16-24.
Unlike other company schemes that focus exclusively on recruiting graduates, Debut has been developed by students for students, whether they’re at school, university or have recently joined Tesco full-time after finishing their education.
Many of the 30,000 students who currently work for the company said they wanted a scheme relevant to them.
Debut has been designed to help Tesco’s young employees get the most out of working. The specially-designed Debut website, live from today offers:
Career advice for when they enter the workplace full-time
On-line training and development
Discounts such as money-off mobile phone top-up cards, meals, cinema tickets and travel
Financial guidance
Job opportunities for when students are ready to think about their career
As part of Debut, Tesco is also trialling a new scheme with 200 student employees called ‘Debut PASS’. This is a Tesco promise to undergraduates who are committed to working with us at flexible times to fit in with their study anywhere we have a store in the UK.
Tesco guarantees minimum annual hours and pay which allows students to plan their finances whilst studying. This is in addition to ‘Clearing House’, which allows students to do a hassle-free job swap between their home and university stores. Training and development is also available to students and could even lead to fast-track entry to our graduate training scheme.
As part of Tesco’s on-going commitment to making it easier for students to combine their studies with work, the retailer is trailing an innovative Save as You Study scheme involving 100 students.
With student debt on the increase, this trial is aimed at helping students plan for their future and provides them with a nest-egg to help them when they have finished studying.
Students save a proportion of their salary each month and this is topped-up by Tesco with extra cash and held in a savings account for the duration of their course.
Clare Chapman, Tesco group HR director said: "Debut is an industry-first and has been developed by students for all young people in education. It focuses on helping students to succeed both at work and in their studies.
"We hope that we can lead the way in showcasing the excellent career opportunities available to young people in the retail sector and make it easy for them to work for us and continue in a successful long-term career."
Case studies
18 year old student Ben Barrett, works part time at Tesco’s Ware store, says: "I’m really excited about Debut as I’ve felt really involved from day one. I can access the Debut website while I study at college and I’ve already started to tell my friends about it. I hope to one day work in graphic design and I’m currently studying for a GNVQ. It’s great that Tesco can support me while I study."
Gavin Warburton, just 25, became a UK toy buyer after completing a Tesco graduate scheme three years ago. Gavin says: " I love my job. I manage budgets and suppliers as well as have the opportunity to travel the world. I was involved in the creation of the Debut site and think it’s a great way of telling young people about the career opportunities in retail."
Notes to editor
Tesco is the UK’s largest private sector employer, with over 221,000 staff. Internationally Tesco employs a total of 307,000 people across 10 countries.
Please visit www.tesco.com/debutclub,
