Top employer Lidl Northern Ireland and leading social enterprise NOW Group launched a pioneering employability programme with the supermarket retailer to support people with learning difficulties and autism in a retail career.
The announcement is the latest move by the retailer to demonstrate its commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of its award-winning and globally recognised People Strategy. Lidl has also supported the autism community over the past few years, implementing several dedicated in-store customer initiatives, including autism-friendly evenings and becoming the first JAM Card-friendly supermarket in Northern Ireland in 2021.
The newly launched Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) approved Retail Skills Academy with Lidl Northern Ireland will support NOW Group participants in 'host' stores across the region to gain new skills and on-the-job training with Northern Ireland's fastest-growing supermarket retailer.
Launched in 2018, NOW Group's dedicated Skills Academies span vital industries, including Tourism, Catering, Hospitality, Cleaning, Digital, Warehousing, and Business Administration, to meet the growing demand for jobs in these sectors and to ensure participants have the opportunity to gain skills and employment in jobs for the future, matching training needs to areas of high job opportunities.
Combining theoretical classroom learning over 15 weeks, which sees successful candidates graduate with OCN NI Level one Award in Retail Business, an equivalent GCSE-level qualification, with the real-world experience provided by Lidl Northern Ireland, students will benefit from an in-store retail placement of up to 40 hours, across its network of 41 stores in Northern Ireland.
Sean Hanna, Director of Services at NOW Group, said the new Retail Skills Academy is a pioneering initiative that allows participants to experience a natural working environment and gain knowledge of industry-specific skills while encouraging their independence, resilience and enhancing employment opportunities.
"We're delighted to expand our Skills Academy offering into the retail sector and to extend our existing partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland. As a certified Top Employer, Lidl Northern Ireland is an ideal strategic partner to help us deliver this first-of-its-kind programme to support more people living with autism and learning difficulties into a pathway to employment," said Hanna.
"Our dedicated Skills Academies are focused on providing our participants with training for future jobs, so we're delighted to partner with a company which, as a market leader, truly represents a dynamic industry with huge potential in terms of life-long careers and opportunity."
Participants will benefit from access to a dedicated Lidl Northern Ireland mentor who will support their training and professional development. Students will also be able to learn a wide range of skills through in-store placements across customer service, health and safety, sales and merchandising, distribution and monitoring and problem-solving within the retail business.
Conor Boyle, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Northern Ireland, said as a certified Top Employer by the Top Employer's Institute and Business Eye's Employer of the Year in Northern Ireland, Lidl places accessibility and diversity at the heart of its People Strategy.
"I'm thrilled to launch this new Retail Skills Academy programme and build upon our established relationship with NOW Group to support further people living with autism and learning difficulties," said Boyle.
Boyle continued that Lidl strives to create an exceptional workplace and build industry-leading career development opportunities. The new Retail Skills Academy further demonstrates the retailer's commitment to enabling equal employment opportunities for all.
Lidl Northern Ireland is perfectly positioned to support academy students to thrive in this exciting and hugely rewarding industry by providing comprehensive on-the-ground training and mentoring in an inclusive environment. Boyle stated that the retailer was excited to meet the students and see what fresh perspectives they would bring to Lidl stores whilst supporting more people into employment within the retail industry."
Lidl Northern Ireland's latest innovative employability programme announcement comes just a few months after the retailer confirmed the creation of 200 new local jobs and pay increases worth £3 million for all employees.
Named Employer of the Year at the Business Eye Awards 2022 and a certified Top Employer for 2023 by the Top Employers Institute for the third year running, Lidl Northern Ireland has developed several industry-leading career development schemes, including its Leadership Academy and Manager Development Programme.
