Amazon has announced it will offer 1,500 new apprenticeships across the UK.
The online retail giant will offer 40 schemes across a range of roles, including publishing, retailing and marketing. There will also be apprenticeships focused on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).
More than 200 of the apprenticeships will be at degree-level, Amazon said, offering up to £32,000 a year alongside a benefits package worth £700.
Over 500 of the apprenticeships will be offered to existing employees that want to retrain, and the company will also work with Forces Families Jobs to provide apprenticeship opportunities to military families.
The company said pay for apprentices would range from a minimum of £10 per hour depending on location, to the £32,000 degree-level salary. The roles will be located across Amazon UK’s sites, including fulfilment centres, delivery stations and head offices in London and Manchester.
Amazon already has around 1,000 apprentices participating in a number of programmes, while around 500 have already qualified.
The company also offers a programme called Career Choice, which pre-pays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields, up to a value of £8,000 over four years.
John Boumphrey, UK country manager at Amazon, said the expanded programme would provide “opportunities for upskilling and retraining for people of all ages, at all stages of their careers, helping to address skills gaps and increase social mobility”.
“After the success of last year’s programme, we are pleased to be expanding to new regions across the UK and in new disciplines like corporate responsibility and sustainability,” he said.
“Amidst a backdrop of skills shortages across the country, apprenticeships are key to equipping people with the skills they need to progress in the modern labour market.”
Evelina, an employee who has completed an apprenticeship in business improvement techniques, said gaining the qualification had improved her confidence.
“The apprenticeship gave me confidence and opened my mind to a new way of thinking, and that has been critical in helping me develop into different roles at Amazon,” she said.
“Since completing my course, I have achieved several promotions at Amazon. If you’re thinking about doing an apprenticeship, then my advice is to go for it. It has given my career an amazing boost and has set me up for many more happy years with Amazon.”
Saskia Phokou (pictured), works in the Amazon Development Centre in Cambridge as a digital marketing apprentice. She already has a degree but believes the apprenticeship offers a mix of learning and working she would miss out on in a typical graduate role.
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“It’s a great introduction to a corporate environment and you are always trusted and taken seriously in your role. There is no age limit and anyone that wants to learn something completely new should apply,” she said.
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