Marks & Start
Marks & Start is our longstanding employability scheme that provides vital work experience to individuals who are looking for work and are deemed to be at a disadvantage.
Starting in 2004 over 30,000 people have been supported into work. Our UK programmes take place in M&S stores all over the country. We also run Marks & Start internationally, supporting over 5,500 people from disadvantaged backgrounds across India and Bangladesh.
The Marks and Start programme gives people an insight into a career in retail and provides a clear, accessible route into work and we’re delighted that over 80% of those individuals who complete their work experience placement are offered a job within M&S. Over the years, we’ve met some inspiring and resilient people and we are thrilled that many have remained valued members of M&S today.
Our main partner is The Prince’s Trust – together we have supported over 12,000 young adults, aged 16-30, with our Marks and Start programme. The four-week programme aims to develop the young people’s confidence, wellbeing and their employability skills whilst giving them vital work experience which will boost their long-term job prospects by breaking the ‘no experience–no job’ cycle.
If you would like more information on our Marks and Start programme or would be interested in finding out how to get place for you or someone you know please click the link - Marks & Start: M&S Careers (marksandspencer.com)