Co-op News (August 2019)

us and how we go about delivering our
purpose,” she added.
Three years ago, the society launched
a Learn, Engage, Apply and Perform
programme (LEAP) to help colleagues
step up to store manager roles. Through
the scheme, staff members can apply for
an 18-month training process to develop
their skills further.
Some choose not to be store managers,
while others opt for the promotion and
go on to complete a level 3 retail team
leader diploma in partnership with
a local college.
Those who come through the scheme
can do a chartered manager degree
apprenticeship BA through the University
of Lincoln. As an apprenticeship
“SOMETIMES WHEN TRADITIONAL
PATHWAYS ARE NO LONGER AN
OPTION YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK
FOR DIFFERENT WAYS”
levy-paying employer, Lincolnshire
Co-operative is using some of levy
funding for these projects.
Gavin Wilson, one of regional managers
in the food business, was one of the first
Lincolnshire staff members to apply for
the LEAP programme. He started with
an initial chat to his line manager, who
asked about his development and where
he wanted to be in the future. He said the
scheme had boosted his confidence and
given him the opportunity to network and
make new contacts within the business.
Other colleagues have chosen to move
into head office roles through the scheme.
Richard Bickle, a director at Central
England Co-operative, pointed out that
retail societies’ junior-to-senior schemes
do not exist in the way that they used
to, particularly due to the advancement
of the national living wage.
“Are there lessons that the retail
societies can learn from people like
Suma – who by definition are a flat
organisation?” he asked.
Ms Carlyle argued that while the job
rotation approach worked for Suma, it
might prove to be wrong for a co-op with
a traditional hierarchy.
“Sometimes when traditional pathways
are no longer an option, you just have to
look for different ways,” she said, adding
that working in the frozen section for
a few days a week can give workers an
insight into what to want from a buyer.
“The advantage is that there is no
financial penalty in Suma when moving
within different roles,” she added.
Ms Lee said that LEAP helped those
working in stores who wanted to
become store managers. Meanwhile, the
chartered management degree helped
people who were in mid-career roles.
“It is about the line manager having
regular conversations with individuals to
identify their aspirations,” she said.
Lincolnshire store managers who have
come through these schemes have much
have higher retention and success rate.
The society’s current chief executive,
Ursula Lidbetter, was herself a trainee
when she joined the organisation.
AUGUST 2019 | 41