Yeovil, England, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
National retailer, Screwfix, has been helping to support the UK's 16 to 24 year-olds find employment, having welcomed over 1,232 new starters in this age group to its team in the last 12 months.
The employees have each taken up a position at either one Screwfix's national network of over 200 trade counters or at its Somerset-based contact centre and head office. In fact, over 55 per cent of Screwfix's new recruits in 2011 were aged 24 or under, and this number is expected to increase further as the retailer continues its rapid branch expansion programme.
Jan Maggs, Head of Human Resources, at Screwfix, comments: "Youth employment and skills statistics remain very much under the spotlight, as the shake-up of vocational courses has most recently demonstrated, and it's vital that businesses do as much as they can to tackle the situation. We believe that the 16 to 24 age group has a lot to offer to Screwfix and as a result we are committed to providing employment where we can, helping to nurture the available vocational talent in our sector.
"A shining example is Steven Greest, our youngest branch manager at just 20 years old, and our branch teams at Basildon and Maidstone, which both have a 70 per cent make-up of under 24's, all of whom are exceeding their sales targets.
"Our commitment to youth employment is reinforced through our fast track scheme, which enables our young employees to undertake a comprehensive training programme and achieve store manager status faster. What's more they gain a City and Guilds level 3 in retail Management on completing the scheme. We have already promoted 37 members to store manager positions through the scheme which is proving so successful that we are intending to intake a further 60 new delegates this year."
Recognised as being "where the trade buys" and promising a fast, reliable service to busy trade professionals across the UK, Screwfix is a multi-channel retailer with a product range that spans over 18,000 trade essentials (including cordless drills, nail guns, bathroom taps, etc) and a nationwide network of over 200 trade counters.
About Screwfix:
Screwfix is the UK's leading multi-channel supplier of thousands high quality screws, fixings, hand tools, power tools, radiators, plumbing and electrical supplies. Combining trade prices and a massive range of leading brand name items, the unrivalled Screwfix catalogue offers over 18,000 products available for next day delivery or same day collection at over 200 Trade Counters nationwide. Order over the phone, online or via mobile before 6pm for next day delivery or collect within 15 mins at any trade counter.
For more information and images please contact:
Manisha Jani, McCann PR
Tel: +44(0)121-713-3868
E-mail: manisha.jani@ mccann.com
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