Online shopping giant Amazon is to create 2,000 new jobs with the opening of three more distribution centres.
Up to 3,000 temporary workers will also be taken on during the Christmas peak period.
The new jobs will include posts in computing, management and human resources.
The news was announced as Amazon opened a new site at Hemel Hempstead, creating 600 permanent jobs.
Amazon managing director Christopher North said: "We have created thousands of jobs in the UK over the last few years and are delighted to announce that we plan to create thousands more in the next 24 months.
"Our recruitment team has been exceptionally busy recently hiring hundreds of employees at the Hemel Hempstead fulfilment centre and they will certainly be busy over the next couple of years as we continue to expand to provide customers with the best possible experience."
Prime minister David Cameron said: "This is great news, not only for those individuals who will find work, but for the UK economy. This shows that the UK has the infrastructure and talent to continue to attract major investments from leading companies such as Amazon."