Co-op Funeralcare appoints 2,500th apprentice

Co-op Funeralcare has announced it has recruited its 2,500th apprentice, after achieving its target of recruiting an apprentice per day in 2018. The 2,500th recruit turned to the funeral profession as a second career after spending over 20 years as a civil servant. The apprentice spent her career working for the government as an immigration officer before her relocation led to a change in career. Co-op says the apprenticeship has attracted a diverse range of applicants over the past six years, with its current apprentices ranging from age 21 to 71. The funeral director saw an intake of 30 to 40 new recruits every month in 2018. Co-op says it is on track to continue to recruit the same number of apprentices again throughout 2019. The new apprentice, said: “After 20 years as a civil servant I never thought I’d be working in the funeral industry, but the career change was the best decision I’ve made. As an apprentice, every day I get to support families through what can be the hardest time of their lives and I never knew a job could be so rewarding.’’ Karen Seth, People director for Co-op Funeral and Life Planning, added: “Working within the funeral industry can be an extremely rewarding and satisfying career. Our apprenticeship programme proves that and we’re still attracting such a strong pool of applicants almost six years since the launch. ‘’It’s a great achievement for the business to welcome our 2,500th apprentice on board. Our intention has always been to provide people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to develop a worthwhile career in funerals. Providing they possess empathy, ambition, excellent service and organisational skills, we can teach everything else on the job.” Co-op Funeralcare delivers the apprenticeship in partnership with People Plus and remains the only UK national Funeral Director to offer an apprenticeship in ‘Funeral Operations and Services’.