Resources

Big Tick winner 2009

Download as a PDF

Boots - Skills for Life

npower Skills for Life Award

Skills for Life was placed at the heart of a people strategy for those affected, with 18 Lifelong learning centres opening and local learning steering groups ensuring that every colleague would reach their desired goal upon closure of the Distribution Centres – exemplifying skills put at the heart of business change.

Processes

Boots UK is one of the best-known brands on the British high street, with a reputation to match.

In 2006, Boots announced its biggest ever change project, completely restructuring its retail supply chain. The announcement included plans to replace 17 national distribution centres with smaller cross-dock facilities, affecting 2,500 employees.

Skills for life was placed at the heart of a people strategy for those affected, with 18 Lifelong learning centres opening and local learning steering groups ensuring that every colleague would reach their desired goal upon closure of the Distribution Centres – exemplifying skills put at the heart of business change.

Impact

1315 Skills for Life courses completed, and a total of 4266 qualifications and courses completed by employees at the Distribution Centres.

Improved employee engagement scores within the DCs – “I recommend Boots as a place to work” up 23 points.

Engagement in learning has led to stable turnover despite the closure, which has contributed to agency cost savings and an increase in service level to stores, a critical business measure.