Tag Archive for ASDA

MP Hears of Training and Apprenticeship Scheme at ASDA

June 1, 2012 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie visited ASDA’s  Milton of Craigie superstore today [Friday 1st June] to meet young people on work experience, apprentices and other staff on the company’s career development programme.

Store manager Martin Green was hosting the MP’s visit with David Paterson, ASDA’s Head of Regional Affairs in attendance.

In 2011 the Asda Skills Academy was launched, which allows colleagues to develop new skills in a specially tailored training programme and earn a recognised qualification. The company has since accelerated its apprenticeship programme with around 600 colleagues on the scheme in Scotland.

It is now working closely with Skills Development Scotland and currently has over 800 expressions of interest for the next intake.

The Flying the Flag programme is the name for a collection of different programmes for young people – work experience, training, apprenticeships, getting unemployed young people into work and the graduate scheme. Their training partner is City & Guilds and every new start to the business undertakes 12 weeks of accredited training.

The apprenticeships are work based and colleagues are given time during working hours to complete their studies.  They offer Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.  This year they are also launching a Retail Honours Degree, giving eligible colleagues the opportunity to achieve a degree, debt-free, while working in a store or depot. 

Commenting after his visit, Stewart Hosie said: “It was a pleasure to meet the young people on the training programme in Dundee. It is clear that Asda takes seriously their responsibility to engage with young people and enthuse them about retail as a career path.

“I enjoyed taking part in a colleague listening group to hear first-hand about how these young people are gaining skills and furthering their careers with Asda.

“It is vital that employers provide supportive and accessible training and work experience to involve young people in employment.

“One of the most interesting things I learned today was the variety of career paths within the group and that apprenticeships are now generally taken up by a slighter older age range. It is clear that for many working at ASDA is a career choice whether they are joining on the back of school work experience, post-graduate or in their early 20s and looking for a career in retail.”

ASDA’s Head of Regional Affairs, David Paterson, added: “Asda store managers and colleagues are also going into schools to engage young people in the opportunities that retail can provide and show them how they can get ready for the world of work.

“As part of our Community Life initiative, every ASDA store is partnering with a school in their area to offer up to two weeks of work experience for 14-16 year olds. The programme is accredited by City & Guilds and provides vocational training credits.

“The Flying the Flag programme is now working closely with Skills Development Scotland and currently has over 800 expressions of interest for the next intake.”


 

 

 

PICTURE shows the ASDA colleagues and Stewart. Back row: Carly, Evelyn, Ross, Stewart, Denise, Stewart Hosie, Carrie: Front: David Paterson, Martin Green.



Welcome For Court Decision on ASDA Wester Gourdie

March 21, 2012 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court which removed the final legal impediments to ASDA moving ahead with construction of its new superstore at Wester Gourdie.


Joe said:  “I am delighted that ASDA have now got the go ahead and that, after necessary roadworks and site preparations are completed the construction phase and the city will soon see the 200 jobs boost to the local construction industry and the 480 new jobs at the store – that it will bring.


Commenting on the interim period between the company first applying to Dundee City Council to build a new store, the local MSP said: “I held meetings with the company in September 2009 on their original application and our main purpose then was to secure guarantees on the two existing ASDA stores at Milton and Kirkton and that the Wester Gourdie one would not be at the expense of the 800 jobs in the other store.


“It quickly became clear that it was to be an additional superstore and we welcomed the boost which it would give to the city.


“However, since then, we have been watching the legal wrangles over the applications to build the store – store wars – which to many have seemed to be all about commercial rivalry. We have always been aware that the community of Charleston and the West End wanted this store. A number of residents made their feelings known in the consultation process so the protracted legal delays were frustrating but at least we can now see some light ahead.”

MSP TO QUERY TESCO ON ‘LEGAL DELAYS’ OVER ASDA NEW DUNDEE STORE

January 25, 2012 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick is to write to the Chief Executive of Tesco Stores over continued legal delays that have prevented the go-ahead being given to a new ASDA superstore at Wester Gourdie.

 

The MSP has expressed his frustration that the proposed store development at the former NCR factory site on Myrekirk Road, Dundee has been stalled since first approval for the store was granted by the City Council in 2010 after a number of legal objections and appeals from Tesco – and now are missing from the UK development plans by the retail giant.

 

Joe FitzPatrick said: “Today, ASDA announced its plans to create 5,000 jobs as part of a £500m investment in its store network across the UK – but these plans do not list Dundee.

 

“I am now seriously worried that continued delays by a commercial rival may put this investment in the Dundee store and the 200 jobs boost to the local construction industry and 480 new jobs at the store – that it will bring.

 

“I know that the community of Charleston and the West End are very much in support of the new ASDA at Wester Gourdie going ahead.

 

“It seems to me that these protracted court actions are more about commercial rivalry than community need and local groups and many individuals have contacted me over the last few months to pass on their complaints about what they see as unnecessary delays in this project.

 

“Asda’s new full application was approved by Dundee City Council on 19 September 2011. Asda had hoped to begin work on site before the end of the year.

 

“However, Tesco then applied to the Court of Session to have the decision reviewed.  The Council’s decision will therefore be subject to a Judicial Review which is unlikely to be heard until the Spring of this year.

 

“This is the second time that Tesco has challenged Asda’s plans for this site in court.

 

“Tesco first applied to the Court of Session in 2010 for a review of the decision by Dundee City Council to approve Asda’s first outline application for the store development at this site and this legal challenge was dismissed by the Court in 2010 and again on appeal by Tesco.

 

“But Tesco appealed this decision to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and a hearing is scheduled in February 2012.

 

“These legal wranglings are postponing much needed investment, regeneration and the creation of up to 480 new jobs in the local community.

 

“I have today written to Tesco Chief Executive asking him for an explanation of these endless legal objections that are putting at risk the development of a new store for Charleston and the West End.”

MSP Welcomes ASDA New Store Moves

September 21, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

A local politician has expressed satisfaction that the new ASDA food store, cafe and petrol filling station could be on the verge of being constructed at the former NCR site.
Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am hopeful that at long last the new ASDA store might finally be on the way to becoming a reality.

“I welcome the Dundee City Council decision to approve a new full planning application on Monday and hope there will no further delays for the new store – and the hoped-for  200 jobs boost to the local construction industry and the 480 new jobs at the store – that it will bring.

“I know that the community of Charleston and the West End are very much in support of the new ASDA at Wester Gourdie going ahead.”
“It seemed to me that protracted court actions were more about commercial rivalry than community need and indeed local groups and many individuals have contacted me over the last few months to pass on complaints about the unnecessary delays in this project.

City Boost as ASDA gets outline permission

September 16, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Commenting on the news that the Court of Session had ruled in favour of Dundee City Council’s decision to approve the proposals of ASDA and Macdonald Estates,  local MSP Joe FitzPatrick warmly welcomed the decision and said it would be a much needed boost to the city.

The Court had rejected a legal challenge from Tesco.

The Dundee West MSP said: “I’m delighted at the news as it will be a welcome and timely boost to the local construction industry and will, in due course, provide 480 brand-new jobs in the shop when it opens.

“We had earlier received assurances from ASDA that as far as possible they will be using local companies and local labour in the cosntruction phase and the retail opportunities will be for local people.  This will be a significant boost to the city.

“I am glad that we are one step closer to making the new store at Wester Gourdie a reality. Today’s nes will be welcomed by the community.”

MSP Welcomes ASDA new Dundee jobs boost

January 20, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed the decision of Dundee City Council’s Development Quality Committee to give the go-ahead for the new superstore which ASDA plans to build on the site of the former NCR factory at Wester Gourdie.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I welcome both the Council’s unanimous decision on the application and the investment and jobs which this new development represents.

“I previously met with representatives of the company and received assurances that wherever possible, local suppliers and local businesses will be involved in the construction of the new store.

 “I particular this will be a very welcome and timely boost for the local construction industry.

“At my meeting with ASDA I was given assurances about the future of their 800 Dundee employees at the existing two ASDA stores at Milton of Craigie and Gillburn Road. 

Today’s good news means there will be 480 job opportunities – brand new jobs for local people in Dundee.”

MSP Welcomes ASDA Assurances Over Dundee Plans

September 15, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed assurances from supermarket giant ASDA on its continuing commitment to its existing two stores in the city as well as the new superstore which it plans to build on the site of the former NCR factory at Wester Gourdie.

The MSP met representatives of the company to seek assurances that the company intend to retain all three stores and that the new 480 job opportunities which the new store will bring are additional to the 800 currently employed by ASDA in Dundee.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I met with the company to seek specific assurances on the future of their Kirkton and Milton stores after local suggestions that one of them might close when the new store is built. I am delighted to say that that is not the case. The company plan the third store to complement the other two.

“I have also been given an assurance that wherever possible, local suppliers and local businesses will be involved in the construction of the new store, and the 480 job opportunities are new jobs which will be offered to local people.

“Of course, it is up to Dundee City Council to make the decision on ASDA’s application on planning grounds, but these jobs would certainly be most welcome for Dundee.

“I am also pleased that people in the local community will have the opportunity to engage in the consultation process that ASDA are undertaking and I hope that local people will take up the opportunity to do that.”

Lisa Rooke, Property Communications Manager for ASDA in Scotland, said:

“ASDA currently has no presence in western Dundee, the area which the proposed new store would serve. This is the rationale behind submitting a planning application for the former NCR factory.

“Our two existing stores in Milton and Kirkton are popular and well-performing stores, and there are no plans to close either. The proposed new store has been designed to complement the existing stores.

“In the last six years we have invested significantly in refurbishing both of our existing stores and this investment demonstrates our commitment to the city and these stores.

“Over the last 20 years, ASDA has not closed a single store in Scotland unless as part of a rebuild project of an existing store.

“The new store would create up to 480 new jobs in the area. There may be a small number of colleagues who are brought into the store during the opening phase to assist with the training of new colleagues and some colleagues may wish to transfer to the new store from our existing stores (although they would be replaced at the store that they move from), but the vast majority of these jobs would be new opportunities.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the local community to deliver the new store and the investment and employment opportunities that it would deliver.”

 

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