Sainsbury’s is to become the first retailer to offer its entire workforce the chance to gain GCSE-level equivalent qualifications.
The grocer, which has 150,000 staff, will offer qualifications in numeracy and literacy as well as training in stock control, visual merchandising, health and safety and administration.
Sainsbury’s has set itself a target for 25 per cent of it staff to have a nationally recognised qualification within the next five years.
The Level 1 numeracy and literacy qualification is a web-based maths and English learning programme, equivalent to one GCSE.
Through training in the work place, Sainsbury’s will also offer staff the opportunity to get an NVQ Level 2 qualification equivalent to five GCSEs at A to C grade.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King said: “This launch demonstrates that learning never stops at Sainsbury’s and every one of our colleagues can improve their skills, which not only benefits our customers but also supports our colleagues to achieve their full potential.”
Sainsbury’s signed the Government’s skills pledge in June 2007.
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