Wm. Morrison Supermarkets plc : Morrisons supports Government's opportunities initiative for young people

Morrisons is signing up to the Social Mobility Business Compact, the Deputy Prime Minister's flagship scheme which aims to ensure that the best jobs are available to all.

As part of the compact, Morrisons intends to work even harder to ensure that people from disadvantaged backgrounds can gain jobs in the company.

The company has been congratulated by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, as one of the leading companies in opening their doors to young people from all walks of life.

Morrisons Chief Executive, Dalton Philips said: 

"We think this is a great idea. Business has an obligation to ensure Britain has the right skills. That's why we work so hard to give our colleagues the skills they need. Our apprenticeships programme fuels their careers, allowing them to move up the ladder. It's also why 95% of our store managers began their careers in hourly paid positions - progressing all the way from shop floor to top floor."

More than one hundred of Britain's biggest companies and top professional groups have signed the Business Compact, committing them to making entry into their professions fairer.

The Business Compact forms a key part of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Mobility Strategy, launched in April 2011, which sets out the Government's determination to ensure every individual is free to achieve, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.

Businesses which sign up to it agree to work to the following commitments:

• Support communities and schools to raise aspirations through, for example, reading and mentoring schemes or encouraging their staff go out to schools and inspire pupils about their careers

• Open opportunities to all young people by advertising their work experience places through schools, online and in other public forums, rather than just giving places to their mates

• Make access to internships open and transparent, paying interns the National Minimum Wage where they are legally entitled to it and providing financial support to ensure fair access, such as providing expenses and/or accommodation to those from less advantaged backgrounds to ensure they are not prevented from accessing opportunities by their financial circumstances

• Recruit fairly and without discrimination, ensuring that their recruitment processes don't allow candidates to be inadvertently screened out because they went to the wrong school or come from a different ethnic group (including through using name-blank and school-blank applications where appropriate)

Morrisons Group HR Director, Norman Pickavance added:

"We believe that improving people's skills is essential to drive social mobility.  We believe ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things in the right environment.  We are fostering a culture in which colleagues have the chance to develop the skills and confidence needed to progress in their careers.  There are no limits in realising your potential at Morrisons.  A quarter of the company's senior management team started on the shop floor.  With real role models plus the right opportunities and support, we are confident we can bring the best out of all our people."

Morrisons will be present at a reception tonight held by The Deputy Prime Minister who will thank all of the businesses who have signed up to the Business Compact.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said:

"This is an important step towards a society where it's what you know, not who you know, that counts.  Working with the Coalition, the biggest hitters in Britain's business world are helping lead the way to a fairer, more open society.

"By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift at the heart of British business, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege.

"I'd like to thank Morrisons for signing up to the Business Compact. Today's success makes me even more ambitious. This great news is just the beginning - I will be doing everything I can to bring even more businesses on board."