How Holland & Barrett built accredited training for its colleagues

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Success Story

Holland & Barrett, one of Europe’s largest health and wellness retailers with more than 1,600 stores, has worked with Gateway Qualifications since 2016 to give its retail colleagues a bespoke, Ofqual-regulated qualification.

The result is a colleague training programme that turns product knowledge into credible, externally recognised expertise.

If you lead training or workforce development for a large team and want your people to earn a qualification that counts beyond your own four walls, not just an internal certificate, get in touch.

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At a glance

Employer

Holland & Barrett, one of Europe’s largest health and wellness retailers (1,600+ stores, 150+ years)

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Qualification

Bespoke, Ofqual-regulated qualification for retail colleagues

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The challenge

Give retail colleagues expert, customer-facing knowledge through a comprehensive, accredited and externally credible qualification

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The solution

A bespoke qualification co-developed with Gateway from 2016, shaped around Holland & Barrett’s business and the health and wellness sector

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The result

An Ofqual-regulated colleague training programme; colleagues report greater confidence, skills and industry knowledge, and the partnership continues

Working with Gateway Qualifications was a seamless and rewarding experience, with their experts taking the time to properly understand our business, the health and wellness sector and the unique challenges faced by Holland & Barrett's retail teams – I can't recommend them highly enough.
Gerald Pearce, Holland & Barrett

Why Holland & Barrett wanted an Ofqual-regulated qualification for its colleagues

Holland & Barrett has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s largest health and wellness retailers with an impressive portfolio of over 1,600 stores and a rich heritage dating back over 150 years.

 

Offering a diverse range of vitamins, minerals, health supplements, specialist foods, and natural beauty products, the company consistently delivers high-quality products to its customers.

 

Holland & Barrett recognised the importance of having an Ofqual regulated qualification as part of its colleague training programme. Ofqual, the government department responsible for maintaining standards in UK qualifications, ensures that the training delivered is of the highest quality and adheres to stringent standards.

 

By pursuing an Ofqual regulated qualification, Holland & Barrett signalled its commitment to providing its employees with a rigorous and credible learning experience that would serve them well throughout their careers.

Holland & Barrett staff member

At the heart of Holland & Barrett's success is its commitment to colleague development. The company firmly believes that knowledgeable and motivated colleagues is the key to delivering exceptional customer experiences – we are passionate about 'growing our own'.

Gerald Pearce, Holland & Barrett

How Holland & Barrett and Gateway Qualifications developed a bespoke qualification

To create a comprehensive, accredited training programme for its retail colleagues, Holland & Barrett partnered with awarding organisation, Gateway Qualifications. Together, they developed a bespoke learning experience that met the specific needs of the company and its employees.

By supporting our colleagues to get the right skills and knowledge, we make sure that our teams can provide the expert advice and guidance customers are seeking.

Gerald Pearce, Holland & Barrett

By completing the programmes and achieving the Ofqual accredited qualifications, our employees gain a competitive edge in the market and demonstrate their dedication to continuous professional development.

Gerald Pearce, Holland & Barrett

The results: more confident, more knowledgeable colleagues

Employees who have completed the training programme and achieved the qualifications have reported increased confidence, enhanced skills, and a deeper understanding of the health and wellness industry.

One employee, Sarah Smith, (19) who works in the Manchester store shared her experience, she said: “The training has been a game-changer for me. I feel more knowledgeable and confident in my role, and I can see the positive impact it has on my interactions with customers. They trust my advice, and that feels amazing.”

Another employee, Mark Jones, (28) who manages in the Bournemouth store echoed these comments: “The training coupled with the qualifications has given me a solid foundation to build my career at Holland & Barrett. I feel empowered to help customers make informed decisions about their health, and I’m excited to continue growing within the company.”

The collaboration between Holland & Barrett and Gateway Qualifications has proven to be a powerful force in driving the company’s success. By investing in colleague development and embracing Ofqual accredited qualifications, Holland & Barrett has cultivated a workforce that is knowledgeable, motivated, and dedicated to helping customers live healthier, happier lifestyles.

The impact of this training programme on individual employees is undeniable, and it serves as a testament to the value of investing in staff development for businesses across all industries.

Gerald Pearce, Holland & Barrett

What this could mean for your learners

The case of Holland & Barrett and Gateway Qualifications serves as an inspiring example for professionals working within training and development. It highlights the importance of tailoring training programmes to meet the unique needs of businesses and their employees, as well as the value of collaboration between awarding organisations and industry partners.

By working together and developing bespoke, Ofqual regulated qualifications, educational institutions and businesses can create a skilled workforce that drives success and elevates industry standards.

If you would like to talk about turning your own training into a qualification that travels with your people, we’re here whenever you’d like to talk.

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