Screwfix Powers Up UK Job Creation

National retailer Screwfix has reported an increase in employment levels, having created over 700 new jobs in the last 12 months, as a result of the brand‟s rapid national store expansion.

New employees have taken up positions within Screwfix‟s national network of 285 stores or at its Somerset-based contact centre and head office. Once in the business, the growth of talented employees is supported through internal development programmes. With an internal hire rate of 50%, Screwfix is focused on promoting from within and bringing out the best in
their people. Screwfix is known for its support of youth employment, but a closer look at the figures reveals that the oldest employee in the business is 82 and working at the company‟s Somerset-based contact centre, whilst the youngest is a 16 year old store-based employee.

‘No-nonsense know-how’

Screwfix is the UK‟s leading supplier to the busy trade professional – an especially time conscious and demanding customer base that is heavily reliant on access to an extensive and technical product range, as well as a fast and easy shopping experience. Meeting the needs of this customer base means blending a „no-nonsense‟ approach with technical know how. Jan Maggs, Head of Human Resources at Screwfix, comments: “Employment and skills statistics remain very much under the spotlight and it‟s vital that businesses do as much as they can to tackle the situation. “While the outlook for UK employment is broadly positive, we believe that the recent statistics re youth employment have made for disappointing reading. Improving youth employment is something that we are proud to support on an on-going basis; whether that be taking on new recruits in the 16-24 age group, or sponsoring national apprentice schemes that help to recognise and nurture talent among young plumbers and electricians. “A third of all Screwfix employees working for the company – around 1,600 – are from this under 24 age bracket, and with another 50 new store openings planned for this year, we are looking forward to further increasing employee numbers over the coming months and nurturing the talent in our sector.”