Nearly half (48%) of Amazon's entry-level employees at its Stockton-on-Tees fulfilment centre were previously unemployed or joined straight from education, highlighting the company's role in opening up employment pathways for local people, just two years after opening its first fulfilment centre in the area. That's according to new independent research from Public First.
The research comes as part of Amazon's recently announced £40 billion three-year UK investment plan, which supports job creation, infrastructure expansion — including four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations nationwide — and emerging technologies including logistics and AI innovation.
Commissioned by Amazon, the report assesses the company's broader economic impact in the communities where it operates. Using Teesside as a case study, where in 2024 Amazon contributed £300 million to the economy (2% of the area's total GDP), Public First conduced local and national surveys of more than 9,000 adults, alongside in-depth economic modelling analysis using Keystone Strategy, ONS, and Employment Survey data.
Young people in Teesside see Amazon as an employer of choice
The research shows that Amazon's starting pay of £29,744 annually (£14.30 per hour) is higher than the average pay for 28% of jobs in the area. That means entry-level employees earn £3,100 more per year than the typical entry-level worker in Teesside. For those who were previously unemployed, the move into work has reduced the local welfare bill and increased local tax revenue by an estimated £1.3 million per year.
Amazon's pay, benefits, and career development opportunities are resonating with younger workers in the region:
- Two-thirds (65%) of 18 to 30-year-olds in Teesside say they'd consider working at Amazon
- One in four would prefer a role at Amazon to their current job
- 90% of existing employees at the Stockton-on-Tees fulfilment centre say they'd recommend working at Amazon to friends and family
More broadly, 74% of adults in Teesside believe Amazon supports jobs in the area, and 84% view the company's pay and benefits package favourably.
Career pathways and upskilling programmes
Beyond competitive pay, Amazon offers a range of career development and upskilling programmes for employees, including:
- Supported Internships: Placements for young adults with learning disabilities, such as autism and dyslexia
- Apprenticeships: Award-winning schemes spanning mechatronics and robotics engineering, accountancy, and project management
- Career Choice: Amazon provides up to £3,000 to help associates move into careers outside of the company
"What strikes me most about Teesside isn't the economic data — though £300 million to the local economy is something to be proud of. It's the people," said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon. "Young people who came to us with no qualifications and are now managing teams, buying homes, building futures. That's the real measure of what our £40 billion UK investment means."
A major employer in post-industrial regions
In addition to creating quality jobs in the area, Amazon is also supporting local enterprise. Around 350 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the region now sell on Amazon, generating an estimated £50 million in additional sales each year.
"Amazon's continued investment here in Teesside shows real confidence in our region and our incredible local workforce," said Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen. "It means more good-quality jobs and new opportunities for local people, and hundreds of our small businesses reaching new customers and growing through Amazon's platform.
"Through fantastic initiatives like The Junction Multibank, Amazon are also backing families across Teesside with essentials like warm clothing, bedding, and school uniforms when they need it most. It's great to see a global company like Amazon continuing to back Teesside and play their part in our region's bright future."
What's next for Amazon in Teesside
Construction is already underway on a new delivery station in Stockton-on-Tees, designed to achieve Living Future's Zero Carbon Certification — Amazon's first in the UK and Europe — and is set to bring over 100 new jobs to the region.
Amazon is also backing the local community through initiatives like The Junction Multibank in Middlesbrough, a clothes, bedding, baby, and hygiene bank all rolled into one that distributes essential items to families in need. So far, the Multibank has supported 94,000 households with donations worth an estimated £1.9 million.
