Helping Partners be the best they can be

Our long-term success rests on our ability to attract and retain talented, motivated Partners who share our values. Once with us, we want them to fulfil their potential and take on new challenges.

Development starts with a thorough induction and orientation programme, and continues through a range of training opportunities, appraisals and access to numerous learning resources. Many of our in-house training programmes also lead to transferable and accredited qualifications.

Over the next few years, we will focus on establishing key career paths, developing leaders, supporting our Partners and identifying new diversity priorities.

While we already have some apprentices working for us, for example Jack Hathaway below, we are planning to launch a national apprenticeship programme in John Lewis and Waitrose in the coming years. This will create more jobs for 16- to 18-year-olds and improve skills in our local communities. Apprentices gain experience, on-the-job training, a nationally recognised qualification and a wage.

Inspiring leadership

Having high-calibre managers leading the Partnership and continually raising standards helps us to maintain our market position.

We have created a Leadership Team Development Programme for all senior management Partners. It includes individual learning on issues such as driving performance, developing potential, stakeholder management and influencing skills, as well as shared development opportunities.

We have also created a Partnership-wide Development Programme for senior leaders who have been identified as having potential for greater responsibility in the future. The programme consists of Partners invited from all divisions and includes workshops, seminars, individual coaching, mentoring and visits to other market leading organisations. The programme is designed to support the Partners’ leadership development, meet individual learning styles and create a pan-Partnership network.

BITC awards

John Lewis’ Horizons programme received a Big Tick award in Business in the Community’s 2011 National Awards for Excellence. The Horizons programme builds excellence and flexibility through developing Partners’ skills, knowledge and behaviours. John Lewis Newcastle also achieved a Big Tick in the Skills in the Workplace category for its work on fulfilling potential.

(Logo: BITC)

“ I’ve been here since July 2010 and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. I enjoy the class work that we do at the automotive training provider, S&B Automotive Academy, but it’s great to go out and practise what you’ve learnt.”

Jack Hathaway, Apprentice,

(Photo of Jack Hathaway)