Prime minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne visited Aldi’s headquarters this week to hear plans to create 35,000 new jobs over the next eight years.
Cameron met with Aldi UK managing directors Matthew Barnes and Roman Heini, who are planning to invest more than £600 million to more than double its employee numbers and open over 550 new stores by 2022. The new jobs will include a range of management roles in-store and within Aldi’s offices, as well as in-store and regional distribution centre roles.
The UK’s largest discounter also said it will create at least one apprenticeship position per store, supported by a new apprenticeship academy located at its Bolton distribution centre and due to open in March 2015.
Aldi co-managing director, Roman Heini, said that the company will also buy more locally-produced products and expand its fresh food ranges, as part of investment into operations.
“This approach is helping us to grow our market share and driving our investment in the UK. It is pleasing to know that as more and more people shop with us, they are helping to create jobs for their local area and supporting the economy,” he said.
Cameron said that Aldi's plans to create tens of thousands more jobs across the country are a “vote of confidence” in the Conservative’s long-term economic plan to back businesses.
“This news will mean more financial security for hardworking families and opportunities for young people who want to get on in life,” he said.
Chancellor George Osborne said: “It is fantastic to see great success stories like Aldi creating jobs and increasing opportunities for young people.
“Backing businesses who are expanding is a key part of our long term economic plan which is why I have cut corporation tax, introduced the employment allowance and am abolishing National Insurance contributions for the Under 21s.
“These changes are helping companies like Aldi create jobs and the economic security that comes with that.”
Matthew Barnes, co-managing director of Aldi UK, said: “Our expansion plans mean that we can accommodate growing shopper numbers, while ensuring that there is an Aldi store only a short drive away from people, no matter where they live in the country.”
