Since 2017, Hart Learning & Development have been working with Co-op Retail on their line manager programmes. These programmes support the upskilling of their operational managers with a focus on people skills and the development of skills and behaviours that allow managers to improve their efficiency. We have currently worked with over 350 colleagues at levels 3 and 4, with achievement rates over 70% and learner satisfaction scores over 90%.

 

What Co-op Retail say about their experience of working with Hart Learning & Development:

“Hart Learning & Development have been influential in working with us to create our apprenticeship programmes within our Food Retail Business.  They are experts in their field and have been able to work with us to embed these programmes, which are highly regarded by our apprentices and leadership teams throughout the business.

 

“It’s a pleasure working with the team of Tutors, Facilitators and Programme Managers who put our apprentices at the heart of everything they do.

 

“Hart Learning & Development have supported us in launching pre-apprenticeship functional skills programmes which are a key part of our social mobility strategy.  We want apprenticeships to be inclusive for all colleagues and this is an area we have been working on together to help us address this need.

 

“I’d highly recommend Hart Learning & Development to others and as we look to grow and change in the future, we will be looking to continue working with Hart to develop other apprenticeship opportunities across other business areas across the Co-op Group.”

 

About Co-op Retail’s work with Hart Learning & Development:

Co-op are one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members. They are the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience, and medium-sized stores. As well as employing nearly 70,000 people, they are a recognised leader for social and community-led programmes. They exist to meet members’ needs and stand for things they believe in.

 

Working in collaboration, Hart Learning & Development and Co-op Retail have carefully scoped and planned the apprenticeship programmes to ensure they not only meet the specific needs of the business in developing their first-line managers, but also minimised the impact of operational barriers that potentially a busy retail environment can create.

 

Hart Learning & Development and Co-op have collectively adapted a strong approach to continuous reflection and improvement of their courses, for example, more recently we have strengthened our work to educate and support apprentices with recognising and coping with mental health struggles.

 

The partnership has prospered and continues to grow. Through our work to understand the business, including their challenges and priorities, Hart Learning & Development have been able to introduce new programmes to support key populations, including introducing a programme of English and maths development for a range of Co-op colleagues.