Halfords named as one of best places to work and wins discovering potential award

Halfords, the UK’s biggest retailer of bikes and motoring products, was last night awarded the inaugural Discovering Potential Award by Employment Minister Priti Patel at the launch of the Sunday Times Best Big Companies to Work For survey, for its work at the Halfords Academy at Onley Prison. 

The Halfords Academy is a full cycle mechanic training facility inside the prison which trains prisoners to be professional cycle mechanics, leading to rehabilitation opportunities following their sentences and helping to rebuild lives.

Halfords was also placed 18th in The Sunday Times Best Big Companies to Work For survey.

The findings of the survey, which contribute to the ranking, reveal 80% of colleagues feel managers talk openly and honestly and 78% feel managers express their appreciation.  Colleagues also feel they contribute to the company's success with an 82% positive score. 
The ranking is entirely based on feedback from colleagues at Halfords stores and Autocentres, through a detailed questionnaire about workplace culture, practices and employee sentiment towards the company.

Cat Hambleton-Gray, Head of People for Halfords Retail says: “We’re thrilled to have again been named as one of the Best Big Companies To Work For by The Sunday Times, and it is fantastic news to have been recognised for our commitment to training at the Halfords Academy at Onley.” 

“We’re committed to developing our people and helping our colleagues learn skills for a lasting career, so it’s great to know they are proud to work for Halfords and it’s thanks to them that Halfords is the success it is today.”

The award comes as Halfords announced its intention to recruit 600 new trainees over the next 12 months in a bid to reduce the skills gap in the UK market. The move will see a trainee placed in almost every Halfords store throughout the UK.

The scheme is open to people who are currently unemployed, long-term unemployed and NEETS (not in education, employment or training) and on completion, candidates are interviewed and, if successful, offered apprenticeships. 

The significant increase in trainees follows the success of the programme to date which has boasted nearly 200 candidates securing part or full time roles, whilst Halfords was also named as a Top 100 Apprenticeship provider by the Skills Funding Agency last month.

To find out more about a career or apprenticeship at Halfords, visit www.halfordscareers.com