Building a healthier future - Gateway Qualifications

Holland & Barrett: Building a healthier future with Gateway Qualifications

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.

At the core of this continued achievement is an effective colleague training programme, made possible through their collaboration with Gateway Qualifications since 2016.

Gerald Pearce, Director of Learning and Development explains, he said: “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’.

“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.”

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, Director of Training and Development for Holland & Barrett Group

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. Mr Pearce explained: “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.”

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.

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, Director of Training and Development for Holland & Barrett Group

“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.” explained Mr Pearce.

The partnership between Holland & Barrett and Gateway Qualifications has produced countless success stories. 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.

Mr Pearce added: “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.”

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.

Mark Jones, Holland & Barrett employee

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.