Aspire – Helping to create Fairer Employment Opportunities
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Published 6 May 2025 in Communities
As featured by our CEO Phil in his recent vlog, we are expanding on our brilliant Fairer Access to Work Programme with Aspire. Based in Oxfordshire, hear more about how we're doing good together, helping 12 individuals into work.
What is the Fairer Access to Work Programme?
The Fairer Access to Work programme has supported more than 20 people over the last year, encouraging equal access to employment and supporting those recovering from adverse conditions, including adults experiencing homelessness and refugees being resettled.
It includes work experience placements within our Co-op Food stores, providing participants with retail experience and on-the-job training, alongside offering dedicated store space for work skills training and 1-1 mentor support from colleagues, helping to boost their resilience and confidence within the workplace.
Over the last year alone, 12 graduates of the Fairer Access to Work scheme have moved on to employment, including at Oxford University, within the construction industry, and at roles within Midcounties.