Training and Benefits

We have many training and benefit initiatives that promote well-being and aim to enhance the lives and careers of our employees.

Ladbrokes Academy

Ladbrokes has a great record for training and developing employees at all levels, under the Ladbrokes Academy brand. The Academy's scope ranges from induction to executive development, from graduate programmes to accelerated succession, from training courses to nationally recognised qualifications. In the Retail business almost every District Supervisor, Area Operations Manager, Regional Operations Controller and the Operations Director started life as a shop manager or cashier. Away from shops, employees can develop their computer skills, their managerial competencies, qualify with a range of professional bodies from accountancy to marketing, and take advantage of the many and varied internal and external training programmes on offer. Technology in combination with training plays a key part in Ladbrokes Academy activities. In shops, there has been a move to replace traditional training with a delivery method that uses elements of the EPOS system, BS2000. As a result, employees receive training at their own speed appropriate to their individual requirements. The Academy makes extensive use of the intranet, providing the vehicle for the promotion of personal and career development. The most up-to-date management thinking and practices are continually being integrated into the Academy's interactive learning system. In this way employees are encouraged to acquire the knowledge and skills essential to the well-being of both themselves and the business.

Graduate Development Programmes

Ladbrokes has a number of graduate entry points that will appeal to those who are considering the first step in their careers. These are direct entry into Retail management, our IT Graduate Scheme, and our Worldwide Graduate Scheme. Direct entry into retail management is the way most graduates start their career with us. Structured training programmes enable a graduate to progress rapidly to an Area Operations Manager position. After an initial period as a Betting Shop Manager they can progress to the District Supervisor role in charge of 15 shops, before becoming an Area Operations Manager in charge of 60 shops. This career progression can take a surprisingly short time, with graduates being appointed as Area Operations Managers by the age of 25. We have an IT graduate scheme that is open to those who have completed an IT related degree. The scheme is run when we need to enhance our existing IT resources rather than on an annual basis. Graduates are trained across four IT disciplines: Planning, Infrastructure, Development and Production. We also have an intensive Worldwide Graduate Programme. Graduates receive commercial training and complete management assignments across the retail, telephone betting and e-gaming businesses reporting directly to company executives. On completion of the programme, they are appointed into middle management positions as varied as Public Relations Executive, Casino Marketing Manager, and Sportsbook Product Development Manager. The challenge presented by the programme and levels of responsibility offered during training are attracting graduates from many of the UK's top universities.

Training to Win

In Retail, staff training for cashiers, deputy managers and shop managers, is undertaken in-shop using 'Training to Win'. This innovative training is delivered by CD, workbook and online, making use of the BS2000 technology, and incorporates a Bet Glossary, staff assessments and training 'help' programmes within the system.

Developing Business Competence

Retail managers require commercial skills if their business is to be successful. As well as 'Training to Win', trainee deputy managers and trainee shop managers receive 'Developing Business Competence' training. This increases their skill levels in identifying profitable business and then monitoring and controlling business performance.

Management and Skills Development Programmes

Many targeted development programmes exist within Ladbrokes Worldwide. They focus on expanding the skills and experience of the whole workforce and look to progress talented individuals up the management chain. They include the Supervisor and Area Operations Manager Development Programmes and the Fast Track Traders Scheme focussed on developing traders within the business.

Accelerated Succession Programme

Ladbrokes is also aware of the need to develop those employees with potential, so as to provide the company's future senior executives. Set up as the 'Accelerated Succession Programme', the emphasis is very much that of personal development. Each employee on the Programme is involved in determining their development options drawing on the resources offered by the UK and Europe's leading consultants and business schools, and supported by executive mentoring. In this way talented management at all levels is encouraged to play a vital part in taking the company forward into the future.

Staff Councils, Speak Up and Ideas from You

Effective employee relations are the result of listening to employees and taking account of their ideas and feedback. Internal communication is through elected Staff Councils, a regular cascading briefing cycle, and newsletters such as 'What's Happening', 'Today', and 'Staff Council News'. Staff feedback is encouraged through the 'Speak Up' programme, which complements other communications initiatives within the business. Speak Up is organised through a combination of 'phone days', where staff have the opportunity to talk directly to senior executives and directors, and 'electronic feedback' where comments are sent directly to Central Operations and Head Office. In addition to 'Speak Up', Ladbrokes have a formal staff suggestion scheme called 'Ideas from You' that rewards employees for ideas put into practice.

Extra Benefits

The employee benefits package within Ladbrokes includes a range of opportunities from grandparents leave, flexible working, flexible retirement, staff discounts and even the opportunity to own shares in the company. The benefits package is enhanced by the addition of 'Bringme' - a joint venture with Lloyds TSB. Bringme is internet based and offers a range of product discounts that match the profile of our employees including Thomas Cook holidays, discounted CDs, DVDs, clothing, electrical goods, and a number of other products and services

Supporting People at Work

There are a number of employee support programmes including a Healthcare Plan (HSA), stress management training and the establishment of a post-incident support team (made up of trained volunteer colleagues) who provide support to any member of staff who has been involved in an incident at work. In addition 'Support for You', which is a free and confidential telephone helpline, available 365 days per year and 24 hours per day, supports employees who need assistance with legal, debt, matrimonial, landlord and benefit advice, as well as workplace issues.