Asda chief joins trust to get youngsters into retail

THE UK boss of one of the world’s biggest employers believes a tough start in life should not prevent young people from building successful careers.

Andy Clarke, chief executive of retail firm Asda, speaks from experience.

He’s the son of a village bobby –“I’d describe dad as a bobby rather than a policeman” – and his mother died when she was 37.

He admits he frittered away too much of his school days on the rugby field and says that at the age of 17 his career prospects looked pretty grim.

“I came from a good family, but I left school with miserable results, which is exactly what I deserved,” he tells The Northern Echo.

While at school in Lincolnshire he took a job at a local branch of Fine Fare as a shelf stacker.

“I was fortunate to meet someone, store manager Dennis Lever, who saw something in me, encouraged me to go full-time and start a management training programme.

“One of the things I look for in people is the ability to get on with others at all levels and all walks of life. That was in my DNA and Dennis spotted that in retail being a good people person was a good place to start. I also proved to be a hard worker.

“I am a big believer in mentoring and having strong role models. I still have people I go to now who I have known all through my career.

“It’s good to have someone to encourage you when things go well, but also honest enough to tell you when things are going wrong.”

Mr Clarke, who joined Asda in 1992 and took the top job three years ago, was in the region to meet young graduates from the supermarket chain’s work experience scheme.

Asda has been trialing a training course in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people in the North-East back into work.

The four-week Get into Retail programme has been offering 12 unemployed 16 to 25- year-olds the chance to gain work experience, accredited skills and retail-related training.

FOUR-WEEK PROGRAMME: Andy Clarke, centre, chief executive of Asda with trainees offered full-time positions with the firm

Successful applicants, who were selected by the trust, have been trained in merchandising, customer care, customer service and stock control.

Participants have also received help with CV writing and interview techniques and have been partnered with mentors from Asda and the trust, who will provide ongoing career support and advice.

Mr Clarke confirmed that the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the trainees has resulted in all 12 participants being offered full-time positions with the firm that employs 180,000 people.

They received the news and their graduation certificates at an event at Hardwick Hall Hotel, in Sedgefield, County Durham.

“There were three young people here today with their own families who talked about wanting to be positive role models for their children.

That is what this is all about.

“One of the things I hear is that confidence wanes the longer people are out of work, so anything you can do to lift confidence can help to change lives.”

Are some young people impossible to reach and encourage into work?

“I would never say that. I have never met anyone who doesn’t want to contribute or better themselves.

“We put 10,000 people though work experience last year giving them the discipline of turning up for work, and learning new skills. Working with people is really important.

“Academic skills will always be important, but, for people who don’t have them, vocational skills are vital. If you love working with people then retail is a fantastic industry.”

Jonathan Townsend, regional director for The Prince’s Trust, said: “There are almost one million young people struggling to find work at the moment, which shows that schemes like the Get into Retail programme are needed more than ever.

“We have been delighted to work with Asda in the North- East and I would like to thank all of the staff for the passion and dedication they have shown towards helping young people achieve their best in life. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”