OurCoop pledges 300 new apprenticeships as it marks National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Published 9 Feb 2026 in Society Announcements
OurCoop, the UK’s largest independent co-operative Society, has today announced one of its first major commitments since forming - a pledge to create 300 new apprenticeship placements as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026.
Formed from the coming together of Central Co-op, Midcounties Co-operative and Chelmsford Star Co-operative at the end of January, OurCoop already supports 280 apprentices currently on programme, with 229 new enrolments in the past 12 months and 90 colleagues completing their apprenticeships over the same period.
The new pledge will see opportunities created across OurCoop’s family of businesses, including food retail, travel, early years, funeralcare and utilities - offering routes into work, progression for existing colleagues and leadership development at every stage of a career.
OurCoop offers one of the broadest apprenticeship portfolios in the co-operative sector, spanning entry-level roles through to senior leadership, including programmes in early years education, retail management, data and analytics, accountancy, HR, marketing, property maintenance, coaching, project management and funeralcare.
The pledge builds on research published last year by Co-operatives UK, which highlights the growing importance that young people place on purpose-led employment.
The research found that 61 per cent of young workers value their employer’s ethics, social responsibility and environmental credentials as much as their pay, while 42 per cent have considered leaving a job because they felt their employer lacked social purpose.
Nearly half of young people said they want to feel proud of the organisation they work for, with many prepared to speak up or walk away if businesses fail to live up to their values.
For OurCoop, the findings underline the role apprenticeships play in offering meaningful careers, real progression and work that positively impacts communities, alongside fair pay and good work-life balance.
Apprenticeships range from Level 2 through to Level 7, reflecting OurCoop’s belief that learning should be continuous, accessible and open to people of all ages and backgrounds.
As a member-owned organisation with more than one million members and 13,000 colleagues, OurCoop sees apprenticeships as a long-term investment in communities, local economies and future leadership.
By investing in skills, supporting progression and prioritising people over profit, OurCoop’s apprenticeship programme reflects the co-operative difference. As the new Society continues to take shape, apprentices are invited to be part of that journey and grow with it.
The 300-apprenticeship pledge forms part of OurCoop’s wider commitment to good work, fair opportunity and shared success, ensuring colleagues can grow, thrive and build careers they can be proud of. For further details, head to careers.coop/business-areas/apprenticeships or yourcoopcareers.co.uk/learning-and-development.
ENDS
For press information
Press Office
Lauryn Mellor, PR and Media Specialist at Central Co-op
lauryn.mellor@centralcoop.co.uk
07385 048004
Rory Fletcher, Senior Director at Citypress
0131 516 5654
About OurCoop
OurCoop is the UK’s largest independent co-operative Society, with more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues operating in communities nationwide. It was formed by bringing together Central Co-op, The Midcounties Co-operative and Chelmsford Star Co-op to create a stronger, member-owned organisation rooted in shared co-operative values.
The Society trades nationally through its family of businesses while remaining deeply rooted in local communities. Its footprint spans Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the South and West; the Midlands including Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire; the North including Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire; and the East of England, including Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
OurCoop and its family of businesses are trading names of Central England Co-operative Limited.
OurCoop family of businesses
OurCoop brings together a family of established co-operative businesses operating across food retail, travel, funeralcare, Early Years and utilities:
- FoodCoop – Over 500 stores at the heart of high streets across the UK and serving communities with quality, responsibly sourced products.
- TravelCoop – More than 70 branches plus online services, helping people explore the world while supporting ethical tourism.
- FuneralCoop – Over 150 funeral homes, providing dignified, compassionate support when families need it most.
- Little Pioneers – More than 40 Early Years nurseries giving children the best possible start, run on co-operative principles.
- EnergyCoop, MobileCoop and BroadbandCoop – The UK's only co-operative utilities provider, demonstrating that essential services don't need to prioritise shareholder dividends over customer needs.
Membership
Membership of OurCoop is available through existing Central Co-op and Midcounties membership channels while systems are integrated. Members can apply via the Central Co-op app or online, with Midcounties membership applications continuing through existing digital sign-up routes.
Further information on membership and sign-up options is available via existing Central Co-op and Midcounties channels.