Wickes

Wickes is one of the UK's leading DIY and home improvement retailers, with over 190 stores. A Travis Perkins Group company, Wickes offers over 6,000 products to its customers.

In 2005, Wickes made the decision to update its in-house employee training programme – a programme that had been running for nine years – and to embark on an operational training and development review. This review was headed up by the Operations Director, HR Director, Divisional Director and Head of Training and Development, and resulted in Wickes’ new Master Programme.

The key outcome for Wickes was to increase staff motivation, and it was agreed that this would be achieved by introducing external accreditation of its Master Programme.

Wickes evaluated all options and concluded that a customised BTEC would enable them to meet their desired outcome. On completion of an extensive training needs analysis, Wickes introduced a unique customised BTEC directly linked to the Master Programme.
 
The Programme included:
 
• on-the-job training
• product knowledge
• computer-based training
• a highly effective in-store buddy scheme.

The programme has delivered consistency in colleague training and development, as well as customer experience in stores.

To date, over 6,500 Wickes learners have been awarded a BTEC in DIY Retail (for store colleagues) or in DIY Supervisory Skills (for store supervisors and managers).

• 2007 saw the introduction of a Master Programme for supervisors and managers.