Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMajor UK retailers have pledged more than 11,000 work experience placements for young Universal Credit claimants under a new scheme named Opening Shift. Organised by the Department for Work and Pensions and the British Retail Consortium, the voluntary two-to-four-week placements include a job interview upon completion. Participating businesses include prominent brands such as Tesco, John Lewis, Curry's, and Costa Coffee, with candidates retaining their benefit payments. The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to create 100,000 opportunities for young people not in education, employment, or training before the next election. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasised that the scheme aims to break the no-experience loop for nearly one million young Neets across the country. In fullTesco and John Lewis among UK firms in pledge to create 100,000 jobs to tackle Neets crisisMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in