Retailer Halfords has announced plans to recruit 600 new apprentices across its retail and autocentres by the end of the March 2016.

The move will contribute to Halford’s target of taking on 760 apprentices by the end of its financial year in March next year. This number will be across Halfords’ retail stores and autocentres.

As well as hiring 100 new apprentices across its 304 autocentre sites, taking its total number to 260, Halfords Retail Stores has committed to 500 new apprentices. This followed the launch of Halfords’ new retail traineeship employment scheme in February.

Halfords Autocentres has also announced its goal to have one apprentice in every centre by 2017. 

The apprenticeship scheme across Halfords Retail Stores is open to candidates who are currently unemployed, long-term unemployed and not in education, employment or training (NEET). The traineeship pre-employment scheme, which equips candidates with four qualifications, follows a pilot that recorded a 62% success rate of candidates going on to secure jobs in store.

The group also announced it currently has 250 live permanent vacancies, including 40 support centre roles and 20 across retail management.

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