Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has announced it will be creating 400 apprenticeship places over the coming year in a year-long scheme designed to train and develop managers of the future.
The scheme, titled ‘You Can Be a Team Leader, Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3’, is now in place across Sainsbury’s supermarkets and will support applicants to meet the requirements for a full-time, team leader role. The apprenticeships will develop talent and prepare future team leaders with new skills and vocational qualifications, including nationally accepted certificates that are the equal to two A-levels.
The retailer already offers job-related, diploma qualifications across a range of departments and City & Guilds accredited courses at Food Colleges for those who work on bakeries and fresh counters.
The roll-out of the new scheme follows a detailed review of Sainsbury’s apprenticeship offer and an extensive test of the programme to ensure that Level 3 Apprenticeships are as rewarding and robust as possible.
Group HR Director said, Angie Risley said: “Retail is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the UK. At Sainsbury’s we are creating thousands of jobs for people who want fast-paced, rewarding and flexible work. But we also want to equip people with the skills and qualifications to develop their career with us.”
Director of Retail, HR and Logistics Jacki Connor who helped shape the scheme, agreed with Angie.
She said: “It’s important that we identify and foster talent within our business, which involves hard work, but it’s a great investment. Being a team leader in one of our stores is ultimately about knowing your customers, your community and your business.
“But it’s also about putting in the hard work and challenging yourself – you are constantly on your feet, making quick decisions, and working with colleagues to ensure we are always doing the right thing for our customers. Our apprentices will get a rounded view of the business, and be trained in the skills they need to do their very best and it’s a great stepping stone to becoming a manager.”
Managers in Sainsbury’s larger supermarkets across the country are currently preparing to offer apprenticeships by identifying present colleagues who are interested and qualified for the scheme.
400 places are available in the first year, with the hope that the majority of large Sainsbury’s supermarkets would recruit one apprentice per store. This will be reviewed and revised in the second year and may be extended to allow applications from external candidates.
The apprentices can be any age, however cannot hold any qualifications greater than GCSEs, giving those lacking further education the chance to access job related qualifications. The apprentices will spend 30 hours a week working in store with an established individual learning plan.
Applicants will complete English and Maths qualifications while also receiving personalised academic support and, where applicable, completing City and Guilds accredited training at one of Sainsbury’s Food Colleges. The courses are backed by learndirect and will result in five, nationally recognised certificates – the equivalent of two A-levels. The certificates include level 3 diploma in retail skills, level 3 certificate in retail knowledge and level 2 certificates in maths and English.
CEO and Director General at City & Guilds, Chris Jones said: “At City & Guilds, we’re all about jobs. We help people into jobs so they can develop their skills and progress within their organisation. Apprenticeships are central to this – they provide people with the skills and experience they need to advance their careers, whilst enabling businesses to develop their workforce for future growth. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with Sainsbury’s on their new apprenticeship programme to find the managers of tomorrow.”
Sainsbury’s has reported 32 consecutive quarters of growth with latest industry data showing the company continuing to develop in a competitive market. The company has set stretching targets to produce 50,000 jobs by 2020, with half of all colleagues set to receive externally accredited training.
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