Co-op Funeralcare, which for the past seven years has been one of the UK’s leading employers of apprentices, has welcomed its 3,000th recruit.
Jennifer Plews, 20, joined the Co-op Funeralcare at Bridge Street, Kendal. She had been considering a a career in make-up but had always wanted to go into a caring profession, having seen her mother work as a nurse. When she found out about the Co-op apprenticeships, which offers all training on the job, she found a way to do that, and now works as a funeral arranger.
The Co-op Funeralcare apprenticeship programme has attracted a diverse range of applicants over the past seven years, drawing in people from all walks of life. In the past year alone, a personal trainer, prison officer and actress have all joined the organisation. Its apprentices currently range from age 20 to 71 years old.
The business reported an intake of 30 to 40 new recruits every month in 2019 – with 3,000 apprentices joining since the programme launched in 2013.
Ms Plews said: “When I started to think about working in funerals, I always thought I’d need years of experience to get the job but that’s not the case. As an apprentice, I get on the job training and every day I get to support families through what can be the hardest time of their lives. I never knew a job could be so rewarding.’’
Karen Seth, people director for Co-op Funeral and Life Planning, said: “Working within the funeral industry can be an extremely rewarding and satisfying career and it’s a great achievement for the business to welcome our 3,000th apprentice.
“Our intention has always been to provide people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to develop a worthwhile career in funerals. Providing they possess care, ambition, excellent service and organisational skills, we can teach everything else on the job.”
Co-op Funeralcare delivers apprenticeships in partnership with People Plus and remains the only UK national funeral director to offer funeral team member and funeral dDirector apprenticeships.
