Boots supports national work experience scheme for second year

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100 students from schools, colleges and universities from across the East Midlands are experiencing going to work this week at the Nottingham Support Office for Boots UK.

The pharmacy, health and beauty retailer is supporting, for a second year, the Business in the Community's Work Inspiration Campaign following last year's successful week. 

This year, other areas of Alliance Boots' group will be taking part in the campaign including: Boots Opticians, Boots International, BCM, as well as teams from some of the group's corporate functions.  Students will be put through their paces in an effort to help bridge the gap between young people's expectations of the world of work and what business expects from new recruits. 

As the number of UK 16-19 year olds not in education, employment or training continues to rise,  Boots UK hopes to alleviate some of the pressures and concerns young people have by delivering a structured work inspiration programme for the students. They will have the opportunity to meet key individuals within the business, get to spend one-to-one time with them as well as experience the many different departments including: IT; Brands; Trading; Supply Chain; Marketing; Retail and Pharmacy Operations, Risk and Planning; Finance and HR.  Students will spend their time gaining general work experience and attending group development sessions, facility tours, presentations and also coaching from a local company, Barefoot Coaching.

Alex Gourlay, chief executive of the Health & Beauty Division, Alliance Boots, said: "This experience will give students the support they require during their work placement; it will encourage them to think about their talents and interests as well as allow them to discover the breadth of job roles within our organisation.  At Boots UK, the skills and commitment of our people are fundamental to the quality and efficiency of the essential services we deliver.  Work Inspiration Week complements our existing work with Business in the Community, Young Enterprise and our range of employment, education and training for young people and existing colleagues."

Heidi Watson, regional director for BITC in the East Midlands, said: "We're now one year into our work inspiration campaign and we're seeing an enormous response from business.  Businesses are now beginning to understand that they need to inspire young people and to do this they are embracing the BITC Work Inspiration Campaign. This benefits the young people they inspire and their business, in terms of staff fulfilment, recruitment costs, and brand awareness. We're delighted that Boots UK is leading the way in their approach to work inspiration."
 
The Work Inspiration campaign began in September 2009, when Sir Stuart Rose, the Chairman of Business in the Community (BITC), launched a national call to action to improve work experience for young people.

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