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Marks & Start Event

Title	:	Marks & Start Event
Description	:	Pictured above is Marks & Spencer student support candidate Allan Wilson, 17, a student from Cumnock, and MSP Allan Wilson Deputy Enterprise Minister. MARKS & START HELPS MORE THAN 350 PEOPLE ACROSS SCOTLAND BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS INTO EMPLOYMENT Marks & Start, Marks & Spencer’s flagship community programme, celebrated its first anniversary at the Argyle Street store in Glasgow today, 20th April 2005. Over the past year the programme, which is the biggest of its kind in the UK, has changed the lives of 358 people across Scotland by offering work experience placements of two to four weeks to people who face barriers in gaining employment including homeless, disabled, parents returning to work and young unemployed people. Marks & Spencer Divisional Executive, Iain Perkins, was joined by the Allan Wilson MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, as he handed out certificates to those who have been involved in the programme’s successful first year, including people that have completed work experience placements and their Marks & Start buddies¹. Since the launch of Marks & Start in February 2004 the programme has offered placements to over 2,500 people throughout the UK who face real barriers in gaining employment: including people with disabilities, young unemployed, the homeless, parents returning to work, school children and students who are the first in their family to go to university. Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson: "The Executive is committed to encouraging businesses of all sizes to contribute positively to society, in whatever form this might take. "Through its Marks and Start scheme, Marks & Spencer is demonstrating the clear benefits to both business and society from acting in a socially responsible way. Businesses get a chance to improve the skills of their future workforce and enhance their reputation whilst those facing barriers to work get a vital opportunity to gain new skills and employment - and in doing so, help to change their lives. "This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when companies behave responsibly, and I would encourage other businesses in Scotland - both large and small - to think about the part that they can play." Marks & Spencer was awarded Company of the Year 2004 as part of Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence. The award recognises Marks & Spencer's commitment to delivering measurable, positive impacts on society by integrating responsible business practice across all areas of the operation. MARKS & SPENCER GIVES FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS A HELPING HAND (Also named Allan Wilson) Alan Wilson, (17), from Ayrshire has been awarded a place on Marks & Spencer’s flagship community programme, Marks & Start, to receive support and paid work experience during his undergraduate university education. Marks & Start provides work experience to over 2,600 people every year who may face barriers finding a job. Alan is one of the 35 first generation students, young people whose parents had not gone to university, to join the programme. He receives financial support and the opportunity to gain business skills through regular work experience at Marks & Spencer Argyle Street, giving Alan a head start on his career when he graduates. Alan who is studying Politics at Glasgow University, has received £1,000 for his first year of education, and will receive £500 for subsequent years of the course, which will go towards the overall cost of his degree. During the holidays, weekends and term time Alan experiences day-to-day work in different areas of the Argyle Street store, gaining valuable skills and experience. Structured training is also provided as part of the programme which will enable Alan to progress from Customer Assistant to Section Manager by the time he graduates. Throughout his placement, Alan is partnered with a ‘buddy’, a Marks & Spencer employee, who will act as a mentor, providing advice and guidance. Alan, from Cumnock, said: “I’m really pleased to be part of the Marks & Start programme. Both the financial support and work experience that I’m receiving will make a real difference to my university years and give me the best possible start to my career.” He continues: “When I first heard about Marks & Start in my last year of school I thought it sounded like a great opportunity and applied straight away. Firstly I had to fill out the online application form which checked that I was eligible to apply for the scheme. I was then invited to an interview day at the Princes Street store in Edinburgh. I had to go through a series of tests to assess my language and numeric skills as well as attitude. I then had several one-to-one interviews as well as team building sessions with other candidates. “A few weeks later I was delighted to hear I had been offered a place at the Argyle Street store in Glasgow, where I started in October. Alan, who is the Scottish Under 20s’ 60 Metres Champion, continued: “Neither of my parents went to university but it is something they have always hoped I would do, yet without the support offered by Marks & Start beginning university would have been a lot more stressful. The thought of leaving home to live in halls of residence, starting my first-year studies and finding a part-time job was all very daunting. However, the financial support the programme offers me has taken away much off this pressure and allowed me to concentrate on my studies and settling into uni life. “The main benefit of Marks & Start is the work experience I am gaining. At school I never had time for a job between homework and athletics training so I had no previous experience to offer employers. Now I am learning about all aspects of the retail business and getting a head start on my career. “I had never considered a career in retail before starting the programme but now I’ve learnt that there are many different aspects to the business and it’s definitely something I’m interested in pursuing. “I would definitely encourage anyone who is eligible to apply to the scheme as it could make a real difference to their future.” E-J Walker, Community Programme Manager at Marks & Spencer, said: “Through the Marks & Start programme we are delighted to be able to offer support to first generation students, who often do not consider higher education as an option for them. By providing financial assistance and work experience, we hope Marks & Start will encourage them to consider the opportunities a university degree provides and help their chances of finding employment after they graduate.”

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