Lidl commits 10% of interview slots for long-term unemployed

Lidl GB has pledged to reserve 10% of interview slots for people who have been unemployed for six months or more, as the supermarket expands efforts to help more people back into work.

The initiative will apply to all entry-level roles at new store openings over the next 12 months, while the retailer will also guarantee at least 480 interview slots across its 13 regional distribution centres.

Working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and providers of the Government’s Restart scheme, Lidl will fast-track eligible candidates directly to interview without requiring a CV. Applicants will also receive interview coaching and preparation support to help improve their chances of securing a role.

Alongside the recruitment initiative, Lidl has donated £50,000 to homelessness charity Standing Tall to expand a programme that helps people experiencing homelessness move into permanent employment. The funding follows a successful pilot in Runcorn.

Stephanie Rogers, chief people officer at Lidl GB, said: "Unemployment is affecting communities right across the country, adding to the pressures many households are already under. For people who are facing barriers into employment, getting that first opportunity can be the hardest step. That’s why we’re fast-tracking interviews across the nation to help people get a foot in the door. A career in retail develops a massive range of transferable skills and, here at Lidl, we pair that with industry-leading training and competitive pay to ensure our people can truly thrive.”

Dame Diana Johnson, The Minister for Employment, added: “Our mission is to Get Britain Working and that means reaching people across the UK – including those who have been overlooked for too long – to build meaningful careers. That’s why Lidl’s new programme is so vital – it’s moving people from welfare to work, providing those who have been out of work with a pathway back into employment."