The Co-op has announced a major £70 million investment to create thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities for people across the UK.
A Multi-Million Pound Commitment to Skills
This significant financial commitment, announced in November 2025, will fund the creation of 7,000 new apprenticeships by 2030. The initiative is designed to provide life-changing opportunities in sectors that are crucial to communities but often struggle to find staff.
A key focus will be on roles within retail, care, logistics, and community services. The supermarket giant has stated that it wants to open doors for people who might otherwise find it difficult to access high-quality training and stable career paths.
Turning Unused Funds into Opportunity
This expansion builds upon the success of the Co-op's innovative Levy Share scheme. This programme takes unused apprenticeship levy funds from large companies and redirects them to support training within small businesses, charities, and community organisations.
Claire Costello, the Co-op’s Chief People and Inclusion Officer, explained the ethos behind the scheme. She said the aim is to “turn waste into opportunity” and ensure funding reaches those who need it most.
Since its launch four years ago, the initiative has already channelled £40 million and supported over 3,800 people into apprenticeships. Impressively, two-thirds of these placements have been in some of the UK's most deprived communities, with a third specifically within the care sector.
How to Apply for a Co-op Apprenticeship
For those interested in securing one of these new roles starting from 2026, the application process is straightforward.
Visit the Co-op Careers Website: All current vacancies and upcoming apprenticeship roles are listed on the official Co-op Jobs site. Opportunities are available throughout the year.
Set Up Job Alerts: Creating an account on the careers portal allows you to receive notifications when new apprenticeships or entry-level positions become available.
Prepare Your Application: Most roles require a short online application form and a CV. For apprenticeships, you can typically expect to complete a brief skills or situational judgement assessment.
Apply Early: The Co-op advises applying as soon as roles are advertised, as popular apprenticeships in retail and community support often fill up quickly.
With this ambitious plan, the Co-op is not only investing in its own future workforce but also making a substantial contribution to tackling skills shortages and supporting economic growth in communities across the country.