Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, has unveiled a target for a big rise in apprenticeships by 2030.

The company, which also owns Screwfix, is aiming to have 20,000 colleagues to complete an apprenticeship, traineeship or formal qualification in the next six years, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Kingfisher has B&Q stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud, and Screwfix branches in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Cinderford and Bourton-on-the-Water.

In 2023, over 4,000 Kingfisher staff members completed an apprenticeship or traineeship, including courses in retail management, finance and software engineering.

The company's data shows that 80% of Screwfix staff who completed Level 2, 3 and 4 apprenticeships became trade supervisors, assistants or branch managers.

Kingfisher has set out to become more inclusive by breaking down barriers to employment and career progression. B&Q is assessing apprenticeship applications against the Indices of Multiple Deprivation to support people in deprived areas.

The company has also committed to improving the gender balance across the business to 40% women in management and 35% women in senior leadership by 2025/26.