B&Q don't just sell things, we offer our customers help and advice on what products they need and how to complete jobs around their home.
From day one, you'll follow a clearly defined learning and development framework to help you create the best customer experience. We know everyone is different, so it's up to you how you learn.
Learn from workshops, e-learning or paper-based materials. You can take part in practical workshops where you'll learn about home improvement projects by doing it yourself. Keep yourself up to date with our huge range of products by attending supplier workshops.
Your progress isn't just based on what you know, but on how you apply it in your role with your customers and colleagues.
All training in these areas contributes towards the qualifications offered by B&Q and accredited by City & Guilds; Certificate in Retail Skills (QCF), Home Improvement Knowledge Qualification and the Apprenticeship in Retailing.
Personal Development
If you decide you'd like to develop your career even further, you'll have the opportunity to create and develop through your personal development plan.
This ongoing framework of on-the-job training and structured learning programmes is tailored to you, your role and your experience.
Certificate In Retail Skills (QCF)
City & Guilds have mapped our existing learning and development framework to the Certificate in Retail Skills (QCF) – Level 2 qualification. This is an employer led model, which means you do not have to attend college, gather evidence into a portfolio or be assessed by external bodies.
You will be able to gain the QCF qualification by learning and performing through learning and development. This is done in your own store with your line manager.
This qualification can be taken by any non-management, store based employee regardless of current learning and development level.
Available in store
Apprenticeship
B&Q's Apprenticeship in Retailing is a 12 month programme of development that helps you learn about retailing while doing your job. Putting the skills and knowledge you’ve gained into practice will reward you with a nationally recognised qualification from City & Guilds.
There are a number of elements that make up the apprenticeship programme, these are:
- A Level 2 Certificate in Retail Skills (QCF)
- A Certificate in Retail Knowledge
- Key Skills Level 1 or 2
- A Home Improvement Knowledge Qualification (HIKQ)
- 3 B&Q development workshops
- A final business project
Available in store
Home Improvement Knowledge Qualification
The HIKQ is designed by B&Q and accredited through City & Guilds, the UK's leading provider of vocational qualifications. As it is designed by B&Q it meets the needs of our customers better.
There are 4 different qualifications available:
- Decorating – Covering Paint, Wallpaper, Flooring and Tiles
- Building – Covering Power Tools, Timber and Joinery, Hardware, Plumbing and Heating Systems and Building Materials
- Gardening – Covering Plants and Plant Care, Landscaping Materials, Garden Structures, Furniture and Leisure, Garden Power Tools and Equipment
- Room Solutions – Covering Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Living Spaces
Available in store
Fast Track
Fast Track is a programme that assists you in moving from one management level to another.
There are 4 levels for Fast Track:
- Trading Manager Fast Track - for Customer Advisors and Supervisors who want to progress to Trading Manager
- Senior Manager Fast Track - for Trading Managers who want to progress to Senior Manager
- Unit Manager Fast Track - for Senior Managers who want to progress to Unit Manager
- Regional Manager Fast Track - for Unit Managers who want to progress to Regional Manager
Available in store
