A North East Tesco welcomed students from local schools to help them realise their potential.

Tesco’s Billingham Superstore, through its partnership with The Prince’s Trust, welcomed students from the town’s schools as part of the charity’s Achieve programme.

The scheme is designed to support students aged 11-19 to develop skills and life experience.

Tesco said their stores have seen 26 ‘World of Work’ tours from March to April 26 – helping nearly 300 young people acquire skills needed for the retail industry.

Store Manager, Peter Shaw, said: “The team here at Tesco Billingham Superstore thoroughly enjoyed welcoming local students into the store to both highlight the vast range of roles available within retail, as well as provide practical advice on how to get ahead as they enter the world of work.

“The group were fantastic, and it was great to see their enthusiasm throughout the day.

“We hope that the experience will help inspire the students and we were proud to support the local community here in Billingham once again.”

Students were given insight into roles such as customer service, fresh produce, baking, and logistics.

Pupils also underwent practical mock interviews and gain valuable insights into the teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills needed in a workplace.

Marie Caliskan, Tesco head of group early careers and development programmes said: “We’re proud to have taken part in this worthwhile initiative through our partnership with The Prince’s Trust, allowing us to directly support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK.

“By providing them with a behind-the-scenes look at the Tesco Billingham Superstore, the essential skills needed for a successful career in retail, and the opportunity to connect with inspirational colleagues, we hope to empower them with the confidence and knowledge they need to thrive within a workplace.

“The Achieve programme is a win-win – it allows us to connect with potential future talent, while also contributing to a more inclusive and skilled workforce, and we hope this initiative will empower these young people to reach their full potential and pave the way for a successful career in retail.”

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Speaking on the unique partnership with Tesco, Stephanine Bagworth, senior head of corporate partnerships at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We are proud to partner with Tesco to bring world of work visits to hundreds of young people across the UK.

“This fantastic initiative opens doors to young people facing adversity, broadening horizons and showing where career paths in retail can take you.

“Our longstanding partnership with Tesco demonstrates our collective mission to help learners develop their skills and experience for life, as they realise their potential.”