Morrisons is to create an additional 2,000 jobs this year after confirming that is has already met its initial 2009 target of 5,000 new jobs .
The supermarket chain said it would now look to exceed its original target, which it met five months early, by 40 per cent, taking the total number of new posts at Morrisons to 7,000 for 2009.
A third of the new roles, which will include checkout operators, butchers, fishmongers and department managers, will be taken up by people aged between 18 and 24.
Recruitment at the grocery retailer has been driven by the acquisition of more than 30 new stores from the Co-operative Group and Somerfield as part of the company’s expansion plan.
Norman Pickavance, HR director at Morrisons, said: “These opportunities demonstrate the growth of Morrisons, with over 30 new stores opened since the beginning of the year, and the strong opportunities for career progression from the shop floor to the top floor.”
“We also employ over 36,000 18-24 year olds – one of the hardest hit groups by unemployment – as we believe in training from the ground upwards and investing in our people,” he added.
The director revealed that the company had seen record turnouts at its recruitment events, with one event for attracting nearly 5,000 people for just 250 vacancies.
