Skillstories

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Business Drivers

Our people and the care they give to our customers are the reason for our success. Making sure Boots is a rewarding and supportive place to work makes sense both from a business and an ethical point of view.

Implementation

In 2003 Boots signed a Lifelong Learning Agreement with USDAW Trade Union. As a part of this agreement, the Phoenix Learning Centre was set up to encourage employees to start workplace learning.

A voluntary learning programme was established for logistics staff. Following this, a further programme for manufacturing staff was introduced, using learning to improve skills and enable employees to take on enhanced responsibilities.

Level1 literacy and numeracy skills (equivalent to GCSE grade D-F) were identified as being essential to ensure that manufacturing operatives have the right competencies for taking on a more responsible role in a revised business structure. Through embedding the level one qualification in the business, more than 500 employees have now achieved a national qualification.

Partners

South Nottingham College

Usdaw

TUC

Business in the Community

Move-On Up

Nextstep

LSC

Train to Gain

Impact

Engagement of employees in learning has been significant with over 350 logistics employees have achieved one or more Skills for Life qualifications, with over 800 enrolments for different courses over the past 3 years.

Skills for Life has been integrated with the recruitment programme for Boots Manufacturing and level one maths and English assessments now form part of the recruitment process for permanent staff. Employees now have a much stronger skills base and are more capable in their roles, as the business constantly develops and changes.

Because of this success Boots is now planning a pilot programme for level 2 and 3 NVQs in a range of work-related courses, using Train to Gain funding.