Co-op Funeralcare welcomes 3000th recruit

Co-op Funeralcare, which for the past seven years has been one of the UK’s leading employers of apprentices, has welcomed its 3,000th recruit.

The milestone recruit is Jennifer Plews, 20, who has joined Co-op Funeralcare at its site in Bridge Street, Kendal.

Co-op said its apprenticeship programme has attracted a “diverse range” of applicants over the past seven years. In the past year alone, a personal trainer, prison officer and actress have all joined Co-op Funeralcare as it proves to be the chosen career for those wanting a new and rewarding challenge.

In addition to welcoming those from all backgrounds, Co-op’s apprentices currently range from age 20 to 71 years old.

It saw an intake of 30 to 40 new recruits every month in 2019, resulting in 3,000 apprentices joining since launching the programme in 2013.

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.”