A COUPLE of Llandudno Marks & Spencer employees have benefitted from the company’s “Marks & Start” programme.

Jake Grundey and Hefin Jones started on a four-week placement to cover the Christmas rush, but impressed colleagues so much they have been offered a contract extension during the summer period.

Marks and Start is part of M&S’ partnership with The Prince’s Trust and was designed to support skills development and create new job opportunities across the UK.

Jake and Hefin are just two of more than 10,000 young people who have completed the programme since 2013.

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Jake is a keen gamer with a thirst for anything tech-related; he joined the programme to build his confidence and was keen to gain employment to start earning his own money.

The period with M&S has allowed him to gain valuable retail experience and skills he will carry with him throughout his career.

Hefin gained some work experience working on his family’s farm but was keen to seek alternative employment to develop his money management and communication skills.

The programme has given him a platform to do this while also creating lasting friendships with other employees.

Jake said: “The Marks & Start programme is a great foundation for anyone to get involved with.

“As a young school leaver, I found this process particularly useful as I had low self esteem and limited experience.

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“Growing up in a rural area can sometimes restrict the opportunities available so I am extremely grateful to Marks & Start for accepting my application and enabling me to benefit from this wonderful opportunity.

“I am extremely proud of the growth I’ve made and the things I have achieved during my time at M&S.

“I’d like to thank everyone on the team here for their support and I’m looking forward to carrying on working with them.”

Hefin said: “I am fortunate I was able to work on my family’s farm but the Marks & Start Programme has widened the pool of opportunities for me.

“Working here has pushed me outside my comfort zone and I’d like to thank all of my colleagues for helping me and teaching me the skills for working in retail.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the team here at Llandudno and building my skillset further.

“I would encourage anyone looking to get into work, or even change career, to get involved with this programme to start their journey.”

The current format of the programme see 16–30-year-olds undertake a four-week placement to gain practical retail experience and skills working alongside a “buddy”.

During the programme, they also complete employability training as well as M&S learning, to equip them with the skills and behaviours to enhance future employment prospects.

Those that successfully complete the placement are offered a 16-hour fixed-term contract; 81 per cent of the young people who complete the programme go on to continue working for M&S.

M&S Llandudno store manager, Katie Whelan, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the incredible efforts of Jake and Hefin.

“Since joining in December, they have been outstanding in the store and impressed colleagues with their work ethic.

“Having run the programme for almost 10 years and welcomed more than 10,000 people through, M&S has seen first-hand how having hands-on experience can help boost confidence and engage young people in the world of work and Jake and Hefin are a terrific example of this.”