Home > News > February 2004 > 19-Feb-2004

Asda announces workplace training plans

ASDA announced this week that it is embarking on a workplace training pilot to help 1000 employees work towards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) in retail and Modern Apprenticeships.

The pilot is based on the company’s own in-house training programme which has been mapped against the key requirements of the City & Guilds NVQ in Retail Operations at level 2. The Learning and Skills Council, the organisation responsible for developing skills in England, has contributed over £500,000 to the pilot. If successful, ASDA aims to use the NVQ and Modern Apprenticeship trial to offer company-wide accredited workforce development.

The initiative comes into effect from 1 March 2004. 1000 ASDA employees in eight North London stores will train toward fully transferable retail qualifications. Employees over the age of 25 will work towards NVQ Level 2 qualifications and younger employees, aged 16-24, will work toward Modern Apprenticeships.

At the same time, 1000 employees who took part in the successful basic skills pilot in 2003, can work towards a basic skills qualification and get paid for the time they spend learning. ASDA expects the pilot and the basic skills implementation to deliver similar business benefits to its 2003 basic skills pilot including increased productivity, improved staff morale and retention, and a higher level of internal promotion.

According to Edwina McQueen, Head of National Business Development at City & Guilds: "In the past, many retailers have found it difficult to deliver NVQ and modern apprenticeships which meant that many employees missed out on gaining recognition for what they did well. ASDA offers its staff a well structured and comprehensive training programme across all areas of its business and City & Guilds has consequently mapped that programme to the key aspects of the NVQ in Retail Operation at Level 2. This will avoid duplication, provide a streamlined assessment process whilst avoiding any disruption to the business."

"Employees will develop both their personal skills and knowledge of retail operations, and ASDA will reap the business benefits of this as the pilot progresses. We look forward to working with ASDA on this exciting approach", she added.

Stephen Gardner, Director of Skills and Workforce Development for the Learning and Skills Council said: "ASDA’s commitment to workplace training and basic skills is nothing less than visionary. It is also an investment in the company’s success and competitive edge. Adult learning and Modern Apprenticeships will allow ASDA to train new and existing employees in the skills needs of their business, helping to increase productivity and profitability while staff remain as a resource for the business. This commitment to accredited learning and training positions ASDA as a leader in the retail sector and we have been delighted to have been able to assist."

David Smith, People Director at ASDA said: "It’s been great to work so closely with the Learning and Skills Council and City & Guilds to extend our adult learning offering, and in the future to create a well thought-out and relevant Retail Modern Apprenticeship for our stores. Their flexibility and can-do approach has meant that over a thousand colleagues will benefit from training programmes that offer a transferable qualification and life-changing basic skills. We're in no doubt that, not only does training like this make a real difference to our colleagues, but it also makes our business stronger."

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