Awarded for a partnership in empowerment

We’re so pleased that our Hickings Lane, Nottingham and Renishaw, Sheffield stores have been honoured by Landmarks Specialist College for their exceptional commitment to providing supported work experience opportunities. Both stores have received two awards each, acknowledging their dedication to offering outstanding work placements. Special recognition awards were also given to Steven Lawrenson, Customer Service Assistant at Hickings Lane, and Karl Furniss, Team Leader at Renishaw, for their exceptional contributions.

Landmarks Specialist College, based in Eckington, operate across five sites throughout the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, and are renowned for empowering young adults aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities. Their partnership with local businesses like ours is integral to their mission of fostering independence and employability among their students.

Our commitment to supporting young people in our communities is a huge part of our values. This year, we've pledged to offer 300 work experience placements and support an additional 1,500 students through employability workshops as part of our “adopt a school” programme. These initiatives reflect our dedication to nurturing the next generation of workers and helping them gain valuable skills and experience.

Local store managers across our network are collaborating with schools and colleges to provide these work experience opportunities throughout the year. These placements are available to students in years 10 and 11, individuals enrolled in college or university courses, and adults seeking to retrain. We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our entry-level programmes to include school and college leavers, offering even more pathways to employment and career development.

The recognition from Landmarks Specialist College is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues. We are incredibly proud of Steven Lawrenson and Karl Furniss for their exceptional efforts in mentoring and supporting the students from Landmarks Specialist College. Their commitment has made a significant impact, not only on the students but also on our broader community.

We remain committed to creating opportunities that make a positive difference in the lives of young people. By partnering with educational institutions and supporting initiatives like the work experience programme with Landmarks Specialist College, we are helping to build a brighter future for all.

Stay tuned for more updates on our work experience programmes and other community initiatives at www.careers.coop/. Together, we can make a difference!