Five former rough sleepers and those who are "vulnerable" or who have battled addictions will join the company’s training scheme today (Monday) at Morrisons' new Harehills store in Leeds.
The partnership with social care charity Create and the Salvation Army will aim to train the individuals in a variety of roles including as fishmongers, butchers and bakers.
Norman Pickavance, group HR director for Morrisons, said: "This initiative will help disadvantaged people to get their lives back on track.
"We look forward to taking this approach nationally and we would encourage other British businesses to join us on this initiative."
Morrisons said it has the largest apprenticeship scheme of any supermarket in the UK, and will train 100,000 employees with basic qualifications and retail skills by 2011. The chain has pledged that 10% of those jobs will be given to the homeless and vulnerable.
Baroness Warsi, chairman of The Conservative party, said: "This is a great example of businesses working with the community to create jobs and drive growth at a time of economic uncertainty.
"Initiatives like this will make a real difference to people's lives, providing them and the country with the skills they need to promote growth."
In September, Morrisons announced it was to
The stores are set to take on Tesco Metro high street locations and Sainsbury's Local chain.
The partnership with social care charity Create and the Salvation Army will aim to train the individuals in a variety of roles including as fishmongers, butchers and bakers.
Norman Pickavance, group HR director for Morrisons, said: "This initiative will help disadvantaged people to get their lives back on track.
"We look forward to taking this approach nationally and we would encourage other British businesses to join us on this initiative."
Morrisons said it has the largest apprenticeship scheme of any supermarket in the UK, and will train 100,000 employees with basic qualifications and retail skills by 2011. The chain has pledged that 10% of those jobs will be given to the homeless and vulnerable.
Baroness Warsi, chairman of The Conservative party, said: "This is a great example of businesses working with the community to create jobs and drive growth at a time of economic uncertainty.
"Initiatives like this will make a real difference to people's lives, providing them and the country with the skills they need to promote growth."
In September, Morrisons announced it was to
The stores are set to take on Tesco Metro high street locations and Sainsbury's Local chain.
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