Tesco Stronger Starts Apprenticeship Programme
Tesco’s Stronger Starts Retail and Maintenance Apprenticeship gives you a stronger start towards an exciting and rewarding career. These opportunities are part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts campaign to support the communities in which it operates. All you need is the drive and commitment to succeed, and we’ll support you with hands-on experience and structured learning.
Discover Apprenticeships at Tesco Webinar
Watch this webinar as we explore two brilliant apprenticeship pathways with Tesco, their brand-new Maintenance Apprenticeship, launched through the Stronger Starts programme, and their well-established Retail Apprenticeship, supporting young people across the country.
Retail Apprenticeships
Applications For September 2026 are now open
You’ll earn £23,662 (pro rata) while you learn; gaining a Level 2 National Standard in Retail and experiencing different roles and tasks across the store. The skills and qualifications gained give you a strong foundation for a future career, with many apprentices progressing to more senior positions at Tesco.
The apprenticeship is based in-store, where you’ll join a supportive and inclusive team, spending time doing a range of activities such as marketing, business and technology. You’ll also gain hands-on store experience, picking orders, restocking, and supporting customers and community events.
You’ll be entitled to 20 days holiday pro rata plus a personal day and bank holidays, rising to 22 days after 12 months
What are the entry requirements?
Stronger Starts is one of the few apprenticeship programmes that doesn’t require any qualifications or experience as entry requirements.
The apprenticeship is delivered by Tesco’s partner, Lifetime Training, and will take a minimum of 12 months to complete.
What’s involved in the programme?
The programme will include a blend of learning activities and hands-on experience on the shop floor. You’ll gain hands-on experience of how a store operates, and see how different departments work together to keep things running smoothly.
Those joining without a GCSE pass or equivalent in maths and English will gain these during the programme.
The transition from education to the world of work can be daunting, so Tesco have a network of people to support apprentices every step of the way, including expert 1-1 pastoral support from the Prince’s Trust, a dedicated Lifetime apprenticeship coach as well as the store teams.
Maintenance Apprenticeships
Applications For August 2026 are now closed
With our Stronger Starts Maintenance Apprenticeship, you’ll earn £25,900.00 (pro rata is £23,060.96) and work alongside earning a Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative qualification – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes.
Our 18-month programme sets you up with the skills you need for everyday duties in maintenance jobs.
You will start on 21 hours a week, rising to 40 hours per week after 12 weeks (your induction) and you’ll be entitled to 25 days holiday (pro rata until April 2027).
What Are The Entry Requirements?
Stronger Starts is one of the few apprenticeship programmes that doesn’t require any qualifications or experience as entry requirements.
The apprenticeship is suitable for candidates who will be aged 18 or over by the time they join the business. The programme is delivered by Tesco’s partner, Lifetime Training, and will take a minimum of 18 months to complete.
Roles will be filled on a first come, first served basis. There are 15 roles available and we will be recruiting one candidate per available store/distribution centre.
What’s Involved in the programme?
The programme will include a blend of learning activities and hands-on experience. You’ll gain hands-on experience of various maintenance operations to keep your site running smoothly and understand how departments work together in a busy retail environment.
Those joining without a GCSE pass or equivalent in maths and English will gain these during the programme.
The transition from education to the world of work can be daunting, so Tesco have a network of people to support apprentices every step of the way, including expert 1-1 pastoral support from the Prince’s Trust, a dedicated Lifetime apprenticeship coach as well as the store teams.
Meet The Employer – Tesco
Visit Tesco’s Meet The Employer profile to discover more about their apprenticeship programmes, what makes Tesco a great employer and what you can expect throughout the application and recruitment process.
Share with your students
Share key facts about Tesco’s Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship programme with your students through our interactive resources, including:
- Tesco Classroom Challenge – To encourage students to find out more about the skills and knowledge apprentices develop in Stronger Starts apprenticeships.
- Posters & Display Screen – To promote the programme across your school/college or organisation to individuals who may be interested in applying.
- Tesco Apprenticeship Quiz – To support individuals interested in the retail apprenticeship programme to learn more about the role and Tesco as an employer.
