Amazon will create 1,500 new apprenticeships in the United Kingdom in 2022, it announced on Wednesday.
The Internet giant noted that it was offering 40 entry- to degree-level apprenticeship schemes, including new schemes in the areas of publishing, retailing and marketing, and a programme focused on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).
Amazon announced that it grew its permanent UK workforce by 25,000 in 2021, taking the total to 70,000 employees.
The group had previously announced that it would create 10,000 roles in 2021 and end the year with 55,000 permanent employees.
Additional Staff
Amazon recruited an additional 15,000 employees for its fulfilment centres, sort centres, and delivery stations across the UK, as well as for corporate and research and development functions.
Amazon noted that it has invested £32 billion ($43.3 billion) in the UK since 2010, though it does not break down that investment.
Its expansion in 2021 included its first 17 physical stores in the UK – 15 Amazon Fresh food stores in London, and two Amazon four-star retail stores in London and Kent, which sell a selection of products from Amazon and small UK businesses.
Temporary Workers
On 21 September 2021, Amazon announced that it had started recruiting for 20,000 seasonal positions across the United Kingdom to cover upcoming peak trading times, joining a battle for temporary workers in a tight labour market.
The group, which has 55,000 permanent UK employees, noted that the temporary jobs would be in its network of fulfilment centres, sort centres, and delivery stations.
Amazon UK noted that pay for operations roles will start at a minimum of £10 ($13.68) an hour, rising to £11.10 an hour in some parts of the country – in line with a pay rise given to permanent employees in June.
News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more technology news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
