Sainsbury’s has announced plans to create up to 20,000 seasonal jobs to help cope with high demand from customers over the busy Christmas and New Year periods.
Seasonal workers will have the opportunity to work in customer service roles, on check-outs and on the shop floor.
At least 1,000 of the recruits will be given permanent positions with the supermarket chain, in addition to the 2,300 jobs that will created in the north of England and Scotland by next summer.
This year’s seasonal recruitment, which starts in mid-October, will be the company’s biggest ever, surpassing the 12,000 seasonal workers it took last Christmas.
Helen Webb, director of retail HR at Sainsburys, said: “We are looking for people who take pride in delivering exceptional customer service and who enjoy working as part of a team.”
Workers with three A-levels or equivalent will be able to train as departmental managers under a new scheme called ‘Try before you buy’.
Supermarkets have been playing their part in boosting UK employment, taking on more staff as they expand non- food ranges and attract cash-strapped shoppers with lower prices.
Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, said last week it was creating over 800 jobs in Scotland as part of its expansion into financial services, while Asda and Morrisons recently announced plans to hire 3,600 and 7,000 new employees respectively this year.
