Morrisons has announced it will train more than 12,000 apprentices this year in a move that will make the company the country’s largest provider of apprenticeship schemes .
The UK’s fourth largest supermarket group aims to build on its commitment to having more skilled butchers, bakers and fishmongers than its rivals, and to offering the best customer service.
Dalton Philips, Morrisons’ chief executive, said he expects “a great return” from growing the company’s “own people”.
The announcement coincides with today’s launch of National Apprenticeship Week, which will see the Government renew its drive to create up to 400,000 Apprenticeship places a year by 2014.
Business Secretary Vince Cable marked the start of the national event by urging British organisations to follow companies like Morrisons by investing more money in training the workforce of tomorrow.
Morrisons has successfully trained 1,500 butchers and bakers to date, and last year 3,500 of its employees gained a retail apprenticeship .
