Amazon announces new jobs and training bonanza

Amazon has announced it will create more than 10,000 new permanent jobs this year, taking its total UK workforce to more than 55,000 people.

The online retail giant is also investing £10 million over three years to train to up to 5,000 employees in new skills and support the Government 's investment programme.

This training will be offered through Amazon 's Career Choice programme, where the company pays course fees for its employees who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career outside of the company - something that will boost the skills and employability of British workers.

The Career Choice programme provides funding for adult education, offering to pre-pay 95 per cent of tuition and associated fees for nationally recognised courses, up to £8,000 over four years.

Courses available range from accountancy to HGV drivers and software developers, and are designed to help employees pursue careers outside of Amazon if they choose to do that.

Accredited Chambers of Commerce will have the opportunity to work with Amazon to identify regional skills shortages ensuring training is focused on local needs.

The company will provide classroom-based learning through Amazon Career Choice, as well as exploring opportunities with the Accredited Chamber of Commerce network to provide practical work experience and mentoring in employees ' chosen future professions.

The 10,000 new permanent jobs Amazon will create include roles in both its corporate offices and operations network.

Corporate roles will be available in offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge across a wide range of fields including fashion, digital marketing, engineering, video production, AI and machine learning, and more.

In operations, Amazon will open a parcel receive centre and four new fulfilment centres, as well as continue to expand its delivery station network, creating thousands of new permanent roles on teams including engineering, HR and IT, health and safety, finance, and those that pick, pack and ship customer orders.

Amazon 's UK country manager John Boumphrey said: “We have always wanted to be Earth 's Most Customer-Centric Company, and we have also committed to be Earth 's Best Employer and Earth 's Safest Place to Work.

“We 're creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits. We 're also delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country. ”

A new fulfilment centre - similar to the one in Cannock Chase - is also set to open in Hinckley this summer, creating 700 new jobs.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “It's brilliant to see a company the size and scale of Amazon commit to an exciting new programme which will create thousands of new jobs and training opportunities across the board.

“The fact that so many of these jobs are likely to be created outside of London simply underlines the desire of Amazon to deliver growth and prosperity across the country as a whole - put simply it's just the kind of good news story we need right now as we emerge from the pandemic.

“Locally, the investment that Amazon has made in the region has provided a real shot in the arm for Cannock Chase and raised its profile as a destination of choice for global brands.

“As a Chamber, we look forward to working with Amazon to help them deliver on their ambitious objectives. ”