Tesco
Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship - South of England
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Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship - South of England
Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
About the Role
Our Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship, delivered by Lifetime Training, offers more than just a career starter—it helps you develop new skills, build confidence, and gain hands-on experience across all areas of retail. With passion and commitment, you could thrive in this opportunity and even progress to becoming a shift leader by the end of your apprenticeship.
We understand that balancing work with learning can be challenging. That’s why you’ll have a strong support network, including:
- Personal pastoral support from The King’s Trust (1-1 guidance)
- A dedicated Lifetime apprenticeship coach to assist you at every stage
- A welcome from our friendly store team and a buddy to guide and support you
- £4.00 per day towards lunch costs for the first four weeks
Positions fill on a rolling basis, so applying early is encouraged. Roles may close as soon as sufficient applications are received, meaning some opportunities could be filled before others.
For any questions about the recruitment process or additional support, contact: 📧 TescoEarlyCareers@groupgti.com 📞 0207 654 7212
What You’ll Learn & Achieve
The apprenticeship takes a minimum of 12 months and combines:
- Learning activities on a tablet device provided by us
- Practical experience on the shop floor
- Functional Skills qualifications in maths and English (equivalent to GCSEs at Grade C/Grade 4 or below) If these have been previously achieved at Grade C/4+, they are exempt from this programme.
Upon completion, you’ll earn: 📜 Level 2 National Standard in Retail (equivalent to 5 GCSE passes)
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This role thrives on teamwork, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serving customers and colleagues well. Particularly welcomed are:
- School leavers aged 16–18
- Applicants who were eligible for free school meals
- Those attending state-funded schools
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must meet the following eligibility requirements (as set by the Department of Education):
Right to Work
✔ You have full permission to work in the UK throughout the apprenticeship (citizenship or visa rules permit this). ❗ Overseas nationals: Your visa must not be subject to employment restrictions, and you must not be on a student visa.*
Residency
✔ You must have been a resident in the UK or EEA for 3 consecutive years by September 2026 (unless exemptions apply—see Annex A**).
Education
✔ You cannot already hold an NVQ/diploma above Level 2 in retail. ✔ You must be above the statutory school-leaving age by September 2026 (check your country’s rules**).
Availability
✔ You must be available for the contracted hours you select in your application (21, 28, or 36 hours per week) from September 2026.
All eligibility criteria are subject to change.
Who Can Apply?
We only consider external candidates for this role. If you are already a Tesco colleague, please explore our internal apprenticeship opportunities via Colleague Help.
What’s in It for You?
We offer an exceptional benefits package to make Tesco a great place to work:
Salary
Starting pay varies based on working hours:
- 21 hours/week: £13,802.88
- 28 hours/week: £18,403.84
- 36 hours/week: £23,662.08
Get help with your application
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Holiday & Leave
📅 20 days (pro-rata) + 1 personal day (increases to 22 days after 12 months). ✅ All UK Bank Holidays included.
Healthcare
🏥 Virtual GP service: Access complimentary, confidential video consultations and online prescriptions for employees. 👨👩👧👦 Family members (same address) have access at a reduced rate.
💊 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): 24/7 emotional support and wellbeing services for you and your family—covering Body, Mind, and Life.
Perks
💼 Colleague Clubcard: 10% discount (increases to 15% starting on the last Friday of each month for 3 days, including a 2nd free card for a family member)**. 🛡️ Life Assurance 📈 Pension Scheme & Save As You Earn (SAYE) Scheme* 📅 Paid Family Leave 🚴 Bike to Work Scheme 🎁 Long Service Awards 🚌 Commuter Scheme
*Benefits are subject to applicable entry requirements and scheme rules.
About Us
At Tesco, we’re more than a supermarket, a tech company, or a mobile network operator—we’re a collective of people dedicated to making every day better for customers, colleagues, and communities worldwide.
We’re committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a certified Disability Confident Leader, ensuring a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your voice matters—let’s talk about how we can best support you!
🏡 If accessibility is an issue, we’re here to help—click here for information. 🔥 Don’t let eligibility concerns hold you back! Apply even if you do not meet all criteria.
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