Co-op Funeralcare welcomes its 3,000th recruit

Co-op Funeralcare has welcomed its 3,000th recruit today (3 January).

Jennifer Plews joined the Co-op Funeralcare at Bridge Street, Kendal having initially considered a career in make-up.

Plews said, having seen her mum working as a nurse, she always knew she wanted to go into a caring profession and was “pleasantly surprised” to find out Co-op offers all training on the job. She now works as a funeral arranger.

The funeral provider recruited 30-40 apprentices every month in 2019, and its apprentices currently range from age 20 to 71 years old.

The Co-op Funeralcare’s apprenticeship scheme welcomed a range of applicants over the past seven years, including  personal trainers, prison officers and actresses, who have all joined Co-op Funeralcare.

Commenting on her new position, Plews said: “When I started to think about working in funerals, I always thought I’d need years of experience to get the job but that’s not the case. As an apprentice, I get on the job training and every day I get to support families through what can be the hardest time of their lives. 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 and it’s a great achievement for the business to welcome our 3,000th apprentice.

’’Our intention has always been to provide people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to develop a worthwhile career in funerals. Providing they possess care, ambition, excellent service and organisational skills, we can teach everything else on the job.”