SELCO Builders Warehouse has demonstrated its commitment to developing its own talent to take management positions by launching a new apprenticeship programme.
To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, the leading builders merchant has launched a new Women in Leadership programme.
The apprenticeships will be delivered by training provider Instep and nearly 50 females amongst Selco’s workforce have already expressed an interest in beginning either a Level 3 or Level 5 apprenticeship.
Selco launched a substantial apprenticeship offering in 2020, with more than 200 Selco colleagues having either completed their apprenticeship or are currently midway through the qualification.
Sally Kerr, HR director for Selco, said: “Our apprenticeship programmes have become a crucial part of our people strategy over the last four years as we help colleagues fulfil their potential and progress their careers. We are continuing to promote our apprenticeships strongly to all our colleagues internally and our aim is to secure another 100 starting a programme in 2024.
“As part of that pledge, we are keen to support the progress of women in our industry as we continue to take steps towards becoming a fully diverse and inclusive workforce.
“Around 90 per cent of our current female managers or deputy managers have come through internal promotion and we want to continue to give other women the opportunity and confidence to push their career to the next level with Selco.
“We’ve already had 23 women commit to starting an apprenticeship in the coming weeks and we are looking forward to seeing that number continue to grow. We have a programme which is built by female leaders for female leaders and will help our colleagues continue to develop.”
The apprenticeships will take up to 18 months to complete and consist of up to 10 modules including strategic leadership, transactional analysis and people and talent management.
Selco’s current apprenticeship offering includes Rising Stars — which helps branch colleagues complete retail qualifications under the guidance of leading training provider Realise — and the Selco Driver Academy which re-trains current colleagues as newly-qualified HGV drivers.
See page 18 of our February/March 2024 issue on our Back Issues page.
