Asda has today published its annual Apprenticeship Impact Report, highlighting its continued funding of career development opportunities for both colleagues and local communities.214 Asda colleagues completed an apprenticeship alongside their day-to-day role last year, after the retailer added 12 new programmes to take the total on offer to 80.
New apprenticeships offered by Asda included the Dispensing Optician (DO) Level 6 – the first time an apprenticeship for this professional role has ever been run in the optical profession – and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Specialist.
Hayley Tatum MBE, chief people and corporate affairs officer, said: “We are proud to offer a wealth of apprenticeship programmes that not only develop the huge amount of talent within our business, but also support wider small and medium businesses through the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme.”
“With vital funds still going unspent, we continue to back calls for reform of the Levy Transfer system so more businesses can benefit. A more flexible and simpler system is crucial to providing more opportunities for young people to develop and upskill themselves.”
Asda’s report revealed that vital funding for apprenticeships is not being fully utilised, after £7.7m of its Levy Funds expired and went unused in 2024 due to restrictions on the type of apprenticeships and training posed by the government’s levy scheme.
The Apprenticeship Levy allows large employers to transfer up to 50% of their levy funds each year to other businesses to fund their apprenticeships, training and development. Asda continues to back industry calls for the government to overhaul levy scheme and add more flexibility to how the funds can be used, and believes that the UK Government must deliver the proposed Growth and Skills Levy as soon as possible.
Case studies
Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Level 2
Siobhann Daw – an Asda warehouse colleague for 15 years – was able to complete a Large Goods Vehicle level 2 apprenticeship through Asda’s support. Despite only approx. 1% of LGV drivers in the UK being women, Siobhann was undeterred in making a major shift in her career, studying for her apprenticeship alongside her full-time job and while also managing her family duties as a mum.
Siobhann Daw, Asda Logistics Services, said: “My apprenticeship hasn’t just helped me to achieve a HGV driving license, it’s given me the additional knowledge to become a professional driver, self-worth, self-appreciation. I’m proud of myself for turning a farfetched dream into a reality, overcoming mental challenges with the positivity of my mentors.”
Approx. 1% of LGV drivers in the UK are women, yet with Asda’s support Siobhann was able to complete a Large Goods Vehicle level 2 apprenticeship – all while managing her family duties as a mum.
Siobhann has not only changed careers from a warehouse colleague to an LGV driver –she also secured Level 2 English and Level 2 Maths results. In 2024, Asda supported 27% of our apprentices to achieve Maths and English Functional Skills – a great example of how Asda colleagues are being given the tools needed to develop in their roles.
Optical Assistant Level 3
Last year, Asda launched a brand-new apprenticeship programme, giving optical assistant colleagues the opportunity to become a Dispensing Optician (DO) – the first time an apprenticeship for this professional role has ever been run in the optical profession.
Amy Howard, Optical Assistant at Asda Swanley, said: “My Optical Assistant apprenticeship taught me the skills needed to take on a new role in our Optical department, and gave me the confidence to perform well and carry out my duties to the best of my ability. I now hope to progress further in my optical career, to become a Dispensing Optician with further apprenticeship training in the future.”
