Apprenticeships
Find the Apprenticeship for you, at B&Q.
Apprenticeships are a great way to build your knowledge, skills and behaviours whilst receiving a recognised qualification; you can even fit them around your day job. Here, you’ll be supported every step of the way, and with plenty of options available, you’ll find one that suits you and your role.
Find out moreOverview
1. Registration and Induction
Your first step is an Induction Appointment where you will be introduced to your dedicated mentor. This is your introduction to us and allows you to set plans for the next step.
2. Learning Coach Visits
After your induction, you’ll have regular sessions with your Learning Coach. This includes constant support and Independent and Facilitated Learning, setting you up for success.
3. Skills Endorsements
This is a key communication and support tool between manager and apprentice, completed alongside every module to check understanding and identify strengths/areas for improvement.
4. Gateway
Once you’ve completed your learning, you’ll discuss if you’re ready to accept and take your End Point Assessment. This stage is referred to as Gateway.
5. End Point Assessment
The end of the programme features a final assessment involving 3 methods (varying with each qualification). Here, you’ll use the knowledge developed over the course.
6. Graduation
Once you’ve successfully passed your Apprenticeship, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of you and our other apprentices. Congratulations!
Retail
Level 2
What is being a retailer all about?
As a Retailer, or customer advisor, you’re expected to give great service and product knowledge to every customer. They understand a wide range of customers’ needs and know how to offer the right information. Retailers represent our brand, keep our stock moving and ultimately create the best customer experience
What’s covered?
We’ll prioritise your personal development, while teaching you everything you need to know about our customers and how to communicate with them. You’ll learn about our business and brand reputation, sales techniques and targets, stock control and merchandising, equality and diversity, and loads more
Delivery and End-Point Assessment
You’ll have regular teaching sessions, feedback and observations with a dedicated regional trainer, as well as constant support. When you’re ready, and your skills are at the required level, you’ll take an End-Point Assessment, which includes a multiple-choice scenario-based test, retail business project, and professional discussion.
What will I gain at the end of the Apprenticeship?
As well as gaining invaluable experience, skills, knowledge, personal development, and friendship, every individual who completes one of our apprenticeships will receive a recognised qualification and/or certificate. The type of qualification/certificate differs between England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands.
Finance and
HR Pathway
Programme
Introduction to the Programme
Our Finance and HR Pathway Programmes are comprehensive training and development programmes designed to provide a strong foundation in HR or Finance for the next generation of leaders. Every year, we recruit a number of talented individuals looking to take that next step in the development of their careers.
Opportunities on offer
On our programme, you’ll complete multiple rotations across the whole function to gain a well-rounded experience, understanding, and confidence in your role. This also includes the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship and gain a relevant, industry-recognised qualification to accelerate your development further
Why do our Apprenticeship Programme?
There are countless reasons why an Apprenticeship could be perfect for you, no matter your age. As well as receiving a recognised qualification while doing your day job, you’ll also experience in-role development, improve your skills and knowledge, and take on new challenges, while being supported by expert coaches.
Top tips
Before you apply to our programme, we have three top tips to get you started:
1. Manage your time well; plan enough time to study and have regular reviews.
2. Be committed to the learning.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and utilise our resources, no matter your role/level.
“An apprenticeship is a great way to learn whilst gaining real experience.”
“It has benefitted my professional development and ultimately unlocked my promotion at B&Q.”
“My advice is to take your time, do not rush modules and to be prepared to do it in your own time.”
“The course has made me very adaptable; since starting I’ve managed to change my role completely.”
Trade Supplier
Level Two
What does a Trade Supplier do?
As a Trade Supplier, you would usually operate a small warehouse and/or trade counter, which targets regular professional trade customers who have technical knowledge about the products or services they are looking to purchase. These Trade Suppliers will specialise in and focus on customer sales.
What’s covered?
Our Trade Supplier Apprenticeship is completely 3-dimensional. You’ll be supported in your personal and career development, as well as having the opportunity to learn about our organisation & values, warehousing & stock control, trade counter & telesales services, appropriate technology uses, environmental impact, and so much more.
Assessment Practice & End-Point Assessment
Before completing the End-Point Assessment for this Apprenticeship, you’ll have regular evaluation sessions with Managers and Lifetime Team Members. Apprentices will be asked to complete multiple activities in-between visits before then completing the final assessment, including a multiple-choice knowledge test, practical observation, and professional discussion with a portfolio of evidence.
What will I gain at the end of the Apprenticeship?
By completing this 12–15-month apprenticeship, you’ll gain a variety of excellent Trade Supplier knowledge, skills, and behaviours. You’ll grow and develop over the course of the programme, with the support of employer mentors and Lifetime Team Members to help you learn, practise, and prepare for End-Point Assessment.
Other
Apprenticeships
Women in Leadership Level 3 & 5:
These courses aim to stimulate a growth mindset, while inspiring and supporting current female leaders to realise their potential, understand barriers and instil confidence to make positive change. It provides an apprenticeship standard as well as topics such as menopause at work, stereotyping, and getting your voice heard.
Chartered Manager Level 6:
Our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship offers a highly respected business management degree, on-the-job experience, and professional pathways for senior leadership and management roles in the future. The lessons taught help develop problem solving skills to be implemented into your role or department, providing professional development while positively impacting your work.
Senior Leader with MBA Level 7:
The MBA Strategic Leadership course offers a highly respected business management degree, and prepares individuals for senior leader roles or new management opportunities. You can develop your capabilities as a leader, gain confidence to improve your performance, and transform your future by developing the skills and knowledge needed.
Marketing Level 4 & 6:
Whether a Marketing Executive helping shape, support, and deliver marketing plans, or a Marketing Manager who defines the overall marketing strategy, these individuals collaborate to plan and execute tactical and targeted marketing activity. This is a highly audience-focused course and role which requires creativity, communication, and project management skills.
Supply Chain Level 3 & 6:
From sales and operational planning to technology and logistics, you'll gain an understanding of the entire supply chain department. Our programmes provide an immersive learning experience, where aspiring managers and specialists will explore and excel in every function of supply chain.
Retail Manager Level 4:
On our Retail Manager apprenticeships, apprentices learn to manage customer experience and understand how to drive teams to give great service and secure sales. With strong communication and leadership skills they’ll understand the importance of driving personal and team development, covering topics such as business, marketing, sales processes and more.