Homebase brings new job opportunities to Fife

Job opportunities are opening up for young people in Fife as Homebase joins the government’s new Kickstart Scheme.
“I’m really proud of our involvement with the Kickstart Scheme – initiatives like this are close to my heart”“I’m really proud of our involvement with the Kickstart Scheme – initiatives like this are close to my heart”
“I’m really proud of our involvement with the Kickstart Scheme – initiatives like this are close to my heart”

The firm, which is creating hundreds of jobs for young people across the UK, is the first home and garden retailer to take part.

“We’ll be filling 300 placements in 83 of our stores across the country in either the Click & Collect service support teams or the multi-channel service support teams. This means our new recruits will provide brilliant service and will make shopping in our stores even easier for our customers – they’ll become a core part of our team,” says Neil Hill, Head of People & Leadership.

“I’m really excited that Homebase is joining the Kickstart Scheme to help the next generation grow. We’re committed to giving back to the local communities that we live and work in and we’re looking forward to welcoming our new team members.”

The Kickstart Scheme gives people aged 16-24 the chance to learn valuable new skills, gain real life work experience and build confidence to prepare them to take on the challenges and prospects in the exciting careers that lie ahead of them.

The home and garden expert welcomed the first of its new recruits to its store team in the summer. There will be at least two roles up for grabs at dozens of Homebase stores in its service support teams, creating opportunities for young people across the country.

The six-month scheme will include extensive training to give each young person the opportunity to gain both valuable skills and experience. From stock management processes, digital sales, customer relationship management and health and safety processes, to problem-solving, organisation and teamwork, these are just some of the skills that Homebase’s new team members can expect to learn and take with them into their future careers.

Neil entered the workplace himself through a government-funded scheme, the government’s Youth Training Scheme, and adds: “I honestly don’t think I would be in this job today if it wasn’t for that opportunity, so this feels special on a personal level, too.

“Had I not been given that opportunity, my story could have ended very differently. I can’t help but think of those starting their career who have so much potential and ambition, and I’m over the moon that we can now offer more young talent the chance to join our family.

“I have a son who will be going into the workplace in the next three years, so I know how tough it can be to get into the world of work these days.”

Homebase is proud to be involved in the Kickstart Scheme, providing young people at risk of unemployment with the opportunity to begin their career at a retailer with over 40 years of expertise.

In partnership with The Prince’s Trust, a UK-wide youth charity with 45 years’ worth of experience specialising in youth employability support, Homebase’s new team members will receive support every step of the way, with access to the charity’s network of youth support workers, partners and mentors. The scheme is also funded by Department of Work and Pensions to ensure every young person participating will be guaranteed National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage.

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