You Can is working

You Can is working

We believe that the private sector has a crucial role to play in helping government achieve full employment in the UK. Through job creation schemes such as You Can, we are removing the barriers that some people face when looking for work.

Not everybody finds it easy to get a job. Obstacles such as low confidence, a lack of skills or a disability make it difficult for some people to take the conventional route into the workplace.

We believe that businesses like ours have a critical role to play in opening up work opportunities and access to jobs to people facing such challenges.

Important skills

Some of our partners hold pre-employment courses with potential candidates to help them understand important skills around customer service and the world of work.

Candidates applying through one of our partners, People Plus, whose applications for a Sainsbury’s role are unsuccessful still gain a Level 1 City & Guilds qualification.

Addressing disability

You Can continues to evolve and expand, with a focus on supporting groups such as the long-term unemployed, former offenders and people with learning or physical disabilities.

Indeed, You Can plays a vital role in our efforts at every level of the business to empower people with disabilities.

All our staff receive regular disability training. We are partner members of the UK’s national Business Disability Forum while Tim Fallowfield, our Company Secretary, Corporate Services Director and Board Champion for Disability and Carers, was recently appointed Chair of the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group.

Embracing diversity

You Can is just one of the ways in which we continue to create an inclusive and diverse working environment.

In October 2016, we launched Embrace the Difference, a programme that encourages our colleagues to throw their support behind our commitment to making Sainsbury’s a great place to work – for everyone.

In 2008, we launched You Can, an initiative to support people who might otherwise struggle to find a job. Since then, we have employed 26,000 people through the scheme with support from partners including MENCAP, Jobcentre Plus, Remploy, Shaw Trust, People Plus and A Fairer Chance.

26,000

people have found employment with Sainsbury’s through our You Can programme since 2008.