This is our own independent research from public sources. The employer hasn't reviewed, paid for or approved it.
Key figures
- Starting salary (pro rata) on the Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
- £23,662
- Source: Tesco (opens in a new tab)
- Minimum length of the Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
- 12 months
- Source: Tesco (opens in a new tab)
- Tesco's place in the Department for Education's 2026 apprenticeship employer rankings, as quoted by Tesco
- 51st
- Source: Tesco (opens in a new tab)
Overview
Tesco runs supermarkets and convenience stores across the UK. Its main apprenticeship for school leavers, Stronger Starts, doesn’t ask for any GCSEs, and the pay is well above the apprentice minimum wage.
Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay | £23,662 a year (pro rata) |
| Length | At least 12 months |
| You need | No qualifications or experience |
| Where | Selected stores across England |
| Holiday | 20 days pro rata, plus a personal day and bank holidays, rising to 22 days after 12 months |
Tesco designed Stronger Starts to make the move from school to work less daunting. You join a store team, with a programme manager, mentor and buddy to support you, and paid time out to study.
Finance Apprenticeship
This one is at Tesco’s head office in Welwyn Garden City. You work on live projects with the finance team while you study. You need GCSE English Language and maths at grade C/4 or above, but no work experience.
If you already work at Tesco
Current colleagues can do a one-year Level 2 Retail Apprenticeship with Lifetime Training. You learn with a training coach, e-learning and hands-on practice, and finish with a qualification Tesco says is equal to 5 GCSEs.
Other benefits
You could get a bonus based on how the business and you perform, and Tesco matches pension contributions up to 7.5%. After three months you get 10% off in store and online and 20% off F&F clothing.
What they don’t tell you
Tesco doesn’t publish the qualification level of Stronger Starts or the finance apprenticeship, or pay for the finance route. The salary is pro rata, so ask how many hours a week the job is.
What they do
Tesco runs supermarkets and convenience stores across the UK, plus online grocery and clothing (F&F). Its head office is in Welwyn Garden City.
Apprenticeships at Tesco
-
Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
Stores across England
A programme of at least 12 months designed to make the move from school to work less daunting. You don't need any qualifications or experience. You get 20 days' holiday pro rata plus a personal day and bank holidays, rising to 22 days after 12 months.
-
Finance Apprenticeship
Head office, Welwyn Garden City
Work on live projects with Tesco's finance team, with paid time out to study for your qualification. You need GCSE English Language and maths at grade C/4.
-
Level 2 Retail Apprenticeship (for current colleagues)
Stores
For people who already work at Tesco. Delivered by Lifetime Training, with a training coach, e-learning and hands-on practice, ending in a qualification Tesco says is equal to 5 GCSEs.
Pay calculator
Pick the pay, the city and your age to see roughly what you'd take home each month after tax, and what's left after travel and rent.
Left for everything else
Career areas
Tesco entry requirements
- Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship
- No GCSEs or experience needed.
- Finance Apprenticeship
- GCSE English Language and maths at grade C/4 or above. No professional experience needed.
Who can apply
- Stronger Starts roles are in selected stores across England.
- Tesco is a Disability Confident Leader and offers reasonable adjustments, such as extra time and larger fonts, during recruitment.
Our tips for Tesco
- Stronger Starts is aimed at young people moving from school to work, and you don't need any GCSEs. If your grades aren't where you hoped, it's a strong option.
- Tesco runs drop-in sessions and will call you if you need help with your application. Use them.
- Tesco's retail and finance apprenticeships start each September.
- The salary is pro rata, which means you're paid in proportion to your hours. Ask how many hours a week the role is.
Summary
- Tesco's Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship needs no qualifications and lasts at least 12 months.
- It starts on £23,662 a year (pro rata), in selected stores across England.
- Tesco also runs a finance apprenticeship at its head office in Welwyn Garden City, which needs GCSE English and maths at grade 4.
- Current Tesco colleagues can do a one-year Level 2 Retail Apprenticeship.
Related video
Finance Apprenticeship Programme
Questions about Tesco apprenticeships
Does Tesco do finance apprenticeships?
Yes, at its head office. You need GCSE English language and maths at grade 4 (C) or above, and no professional experience. Tesco doesn't publish the pay or length of the finance apprenticeship.
What benefits do Tesco apprentices get?
On Stronger Starts, 20 days' holiday (pro rata) plus a personal day and bank holidays, rising to 22 days after 12 months. Tesco matches pension contributions up to 7.5%, and after three months you get 10% off in store and online.
How much do Tesco apprentices get paid?
The Stronger Starts Retail Apprenticeship starts on £23,662 a year (pro rata), which means it's adjusted to your hours. You could also get a bonus based on business and individual performance, and Tesco matches pension contributions up to 7.5%.
Do you need GCSEs for a Tesco apprenticeship?
Not for Stronger Starts, which needs no GCSEs or experience. The finance apprenticeship needs GCSE English Language and maths at grade C/4. Our guide to apprenticeships without GCSEs has more options.
What is the Tesco Stronger Starts apprenticeship?
A retail apprenticeship of at least 12 months in Tesco stores across England. It's designed to make moving from school to work less daunting, with a programme manager, mentor and buddy to support you.
Where are Tesco apprenticeships based?
Retail apprenticeships are in selected stores across England, and the finance apprenticeship is at Tesco's head office in Welwyn Garden City.
Which other supermarkets offer apprenticeships?
Aldi runs store, warehouse and driver apprenticeships, and Lidl GB has a retail degree apprenticeship. Compare them in our retail and logistics table.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.