International Retailer Commits to Gender Balance and Career Development
- Kingfisher sets a new target of 20,000 colleagues to complete apprenticeships, traineeships or formal qualifications by 2030
- Exceeded its current learning ambition with over 6.6 million skills for life learning hours since 2019/20
- Investment in a wide range of programmes across its business and banners
- 4,000 colleagues participated in apprenticeships or traineeships last year
- Screwfix launched an online hub ‘Trade Link’ to support tradespeople
- B&Q pledges £1m to fund trade apprentices through transform
- Commitment to improving gender balance: 35% women in senior leadership and 40% in management by 2025/26
Kingfisher, the international home improvement retailer, has announced a new target for 20,000 colleagues to complete an apprenticeship, traineeship or formal qualification by 2030. The company exceeded its current learning ambition two years early with over 6.6 million skills for life learning hours since 2019/20, ahead of its target of five million hours by 2025. This new target reflects a greater focus on helping colleagues grow their careers through high-quality learning programmes with a deep individual impact. The company will continue to invest in a wide range of programmes across its business and banners, including apprenticeships and traineeships covering various specialisms like retail management, software engineering, and finance. For instance, at Screwfix, 80% of store colleagues completing Level 2, 3, and 4 apprenticeships go on to become trade supervisors, assistant or branch managers. B&Q is supporting the trade sector with a £1m pledge to fund trade apprentices through transform and creating inclusive learning opportunities like offering educational support for English and Maths to enable more colleagues to access apprenticeships. The company also uses Indices of Multiple Deprivation to assess the impact of its apprenticeship programme on social mobility in the communities it serves. Alongside a focus on learning and developing talent, Kingfisher has committed to improving gender balance with 35% women in senior leadership and 40% women in management by 2025/26.
Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Kingfisher’s new target for employee training and development, citing specific numbers and examples of their current progress and initiatives in place to achieve this goal. It also includes quotes from a company executive that support the claims made.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Kingfisher’s commitment to employee training and development, including specific examples of apprenticeships and traineeships offered across its business and banners. It also mentions the company’s efforts to improve gender balance in leadership positions. The content is focused on the topic and supports its claims with data and examples.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Kingfisher’s investment in employee training and development may impact its financial performance by potentially improving retention rates, productivity, and overall company performance.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Kingfisher’s commitment to investing in employee learning programs and apprenticeships, which can have a positive effect on the company’s financial performance by increasing employee satisfaction, retention, and skill development. This may lead to better productivity and overall success of the business.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: No extreme event mentioned in the article
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