Lidl GB has announced it will pay some new workers up to £46k a year to go to university. Under its Retail Leadership degree apprenticeship scheme it has joined forces with Kingston University to give successful applicants the chance of earning a wage as they study.
It will see new starters earning £26,000 in their first year rising to £46,000 by their fourth year. On Monday it was announced that 51 apprentices have joined the scheme after it received over 5,000 applications from school leavers eager to pursue a career in the retail sector.
The new scheme is developed in collaboration with Kingston University, which is in the same borough as Lidl’s Head Office, Lidl House which is in Surbiton. The Retail Leadership BSc (Hons) apprenticeship scheme is a four-year programme designed to combine academic study with practical retail experience.
Lidl said those taking part will spend time gaining hands-on experience in-store, with regular visits to both Kingston University and Lidl House to develop their understanding of the retail industry. Apprentices can expect to graduate not only with a degree but also with the skills and experience needed to step into store management roles within four years.
In a separate move the firm has also welcomed 50 new graduates through its annual graduate scheme. Stephanie Rogers, Chief Human Resources Officer at Lidl GB, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome over 100 talented individuals to Lidl GB through these programmes.
"Our partnership with Kingston University for the Retail Leadership apprenticeship is a significant milestone, and it’s exciting to see it come to life in our 30th year of operating in Great Britain. Equally, our Graduate Scheme continues to attract bright minds eager to start their careers in this dynamic industry. We are committed to investing in the next generation of retail leaders and look forward to supporting them as they grow with us.”
Head of Kingston Business School, Professor Sankar Sivarajah, said: “Our partnership with Lidl on the Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship demonstrates Kingston Business School is working on real-world business requirements, which will have an immediate impact on the students’ career paths and in turn the UK economy. There is a real need for skills development, with challenges for industries to overcome and this approach to knowledge partnerships bridges that gap. The apprenticeship will equip students with the competencies and skills they need for the future, such as digital insights into retail marketing or gaining the financial competencies, to be a well-rounded manager working within a large organisation.”
Lidl said the partnership reflects its ongoing investment in its people "setting a strong foundation for the future of retail leadership". It follows the discounter’s third pay rise for hourly-paid colleagues in the space of 12 months, offering industry leading hourly rate of £12.40 outside M25 and £13.65 inside.
