Westfield is expanding its Step Into Retail employment programme, offering up to 320 local jobseekers free training and access to retail career opportunities across its London shopping centres.

The initiative, run in partnership with INCO Academy, will return to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City in October as the shopping centre giant looks to help more people overcome barriers to employment.

The programme provides participants with free training designed to prepare them for roles across retail, hospitality and leisure, covering areas including customer service, communication, teamwork and workplace readiness.

Jobseekers are also offered support with CVs, applications and interview preparation, alongside opportunities to connect directly with employers recruiting at Westfield’s centres.

Step Into Retail was launched as a pilot last year as part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s efforts to widen access to jobs and skills.

The scheme combines online learning and practical support with employer introductions and job fairs, giving participants a direct route into businesses operating within Westfield destinations.

Its expansion follows strong demand for the programme. More than 1,600 people applied across the UK and Spain during its initial rollout, with over 400 people completing training.

Westfield said the initiative was designed particularly for people facing barriers to employment, while also helping retailers and hospitality operators gain access to a wider pool of job-ready candidates.

Step Into Retail forms part of a wider push from parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield to use its shopping centres as hubs for local employment and skills development.

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