Gordon Brown announced the start of the biggest supermarket training scheme in the UK during his visit to Bradford today.

At the group headquarters of Morrisons in Thornbury, the Prime Minister revealed that thousands of the company’s employees are to train for a nationally-recognised qualification.

He said the scheme was “unprecedented in the history of retail industries” and praised Morrisons for its achievements during the recession.

Hundreds of staff packed on to balconies overlooking a stage to watch as Mr Brown made the announcement and thanked them for their contribution to Britain’s economy.

The Prime Minister said: “This is a company that is moving forward, moving forward in a way that gives every employee the chance of better prospects for the future.

“It’s a pleasure for me to say that you will be training more of your staff – 20,000 people will be receiving training opportunities over the next few months.

“This is probably the biggest announcement of training opportunities that any company has ever made in one day.”

Mr Brown revealed that about 100,000 staff would receive training over the next 18 months and said Morrisons was “leading the way in the whole of the retail trade throughout the country”.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) training scheme was piloted in six stores across the country and will launch nationally in January.

Mr Brown met and congratulated 12 members of staff as they received their QCF certificates.