RETAILTRUST, the charity dedicated to those working in the retail sector, has launched a new UK-wide youth employment programme in Hereford.

The main focus is to prepare 16 – 24 year olds for employment in the retail industry. The programme will run for up to 12 weeks and is set to be rolled out to cities across the UK in the coming months.

Nine young unemployed people have been placed on to the programme in some of Hereford’s leading retailers, including New Look, Clarks, Savers, Pets at Home and Philip Morris.

It will give individuals the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications in customer service, functional skills and an EDEXCEL level 1 award in retail knowledge. The skills acquired through the training will help prepare the young trainees for day one of their work experience placement with a local retailer, allowing them to put their newly developed skills into practice.

Hereford Mayor Len Tawn said: "As Mayor and a retailer I am fully behind this worthwhile initiative and I know the young people taking part will benefit enormously from participating.”

Richard Boland, chief executive of retailTRUST, added: "Through programmes like retailRIGHT we are reaching out to the grassroots and helping young NEETs gain vital experience in our industry. Rolling out the programme across the UK promises to engage retailers and be a positive, creative force in young people’s lives.”