Marks & Spencer resets Early Careers programme in search for "next generation of retail leaders"

Marks & Spencer has relaunched its early careers programme, quadrupling the number of places available for its 2024 intake.

Each programme, which includes Retail Leaders, Clothing & Home Business and Food Business, has been "reshaped and simplified" to focus even more on the in-store experience.

The scale of this year's Retail Leaders programme has grown, with M&S looking to attract 114 people - comprising 38 school leavers and 76 graduates (compared to 29 graduates in 2023).

This increase reflects the retailer's focus on "developing talent who want early accountability, can bring fresh perspectives, and build the skills to become future leaders in the business".

School leavers and graduates on the Retail Leaders programme will build the skills and experience needed to manage a store.

Six months after starting the Retail Leaders programme, school leavers will also have the opportunity to complete an optional Level 6 – degree equivalent – apprenticeship.

Meanwhile, the Clothing & Home Business programme will allow graduates and school leavers to choose whether they would like to specialise in commercial or product.

Whichever specialism they choose, participants will finish the programme with the opportunity to continue their career in roles such as Assistant Buyer, Assistant Merchandiser, or Online Commercial Manager.

Stuart Machin, CEO at M&S, said: "I want others to benefit from the experience retail can offer – just like I did. And I want Marks & Spencer to recruit its next generation of leaders, armed with the same knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial spirit I picked up from working my way up the retail ladder.

"That’s why we’re reshaping our recruitment to put our stores and M&S colleagues up-front, as well as attracting the very best graduate talent."