Travis Perkins Provides 800 Kickstart Placements to Help Build More Diverse Workforce

TRAVIS PERKINS is providing 800 work placements for young people under the Kickstart scheme. The company says it will use the opportunity to build a more diverse workforce.

The company hopes the scheme will support the economic recovery by combating rising unemployment in 16-24-year-old age group during the pandemic. Travis Perkins employs 28,000 people and will deliver the new programme in-house.

The move follows the Group’s continued recovery in the third quarter which saw like for like growth of 3.9%. This was driven by strong demand in the domestic Repair, Maintenance and Improvement construction markets.

Travis Perkins is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials and owner of the Travis Perkins builders’ merchants, Toolstation, Wickes and specialist trade businesses including City Plumbing, BSS, CCF and Keyline.

Kickstart Placements

Nick Roberts, CEO of Travis Perkins plc, commented: “This year we have confronted unprecedented challenges in the face of a pandemic. The impact has been especially severe on those many young people who require further experience and qualifications, and may now find it more difficult to get a job in an even more competitive market.

“The breadth of our businesses and our track record for training and development combined with the strong family values and commitment we have to our local communities, mean we have a strong offering for the Kickstart candidates here at Travis Perkins. We hope this will provide those particularly at risk of longer-term unemployment with the skills and experience they need to be better equipped for the job market in future.”

Kickstarters will be working in roles across a number of areas; including yards, warehouses, branches, tool hire, administration and stock management. Recruitment will start initially within the plumbing and heating businesses, followed by the rest of the Group’s trade businesses throughout 2021.

In addition to practical skills, the comprehensive training schedule across the Travis Perkins businesses will include health and safety training and employability to cover CV writing and interview preparation. Candidates will also be supported by a dedicated Kickstart Coach via online webinars and virtual one-to-one sessions to help ensure robust readiness for long term employment.

All Kickstarters at the Group will also be eligible and considered for apprenticeships and new vacancies across the businesses, at the appropriate point of their placement and work experience.

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