Tesco is to offer 85 jobs to people who have been out of work for more than six months at its new 1,000-strong distribution centre in Reading. 

The programme, which will be run in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the local council and a local college, is due to launch next month. 

A Tesco spokesperson tells Recruiter that as part of the programme the company is committed to considering every eligible person who registers interest, and to provide pre-interview training for candidates.

“Recruitment will be run with the help of Jobcentre Plus, and when that process starts we’ll be using local media and leafleting the local area to let people know,” says the spokesperson.

The spokesperson adds that for those who are successful at interview, Tesco will work with the Council and Reading College to provide pre-work training to help them make the transition back to work as smooth as possible.

The scheme follows similar schemes at more than 50 Tesco stores, though this is the first one at a distribution centre, says the spokesperson. 

Recruitment for the new distribution centre began at the beginning of March, and Tesco says it has received more than 3,000 applications in the first three weeks. Interest in the 10-12 clerical positions has been so high that the company is no longer taking applications.

The spokesperson says Tesco has also received hundreds of enquiries about driving positions, and that it is working with Jobcentre Plus about possible training to help local people get the necessary skills.