Increase compliance and motivation? Here’s how Boots Pharmacy does It!

Boots Pharmacy distinguishes itself through its unique combination of health and beauty. This makes Boots one of the most innovative pharmacy concepts in the Netherlands. Boots Pharmacy is part of Cencora, Alliance Healthcare Netherlands. Cencora is a globally respected organisation committed to improving people’s health and well-being. At Boots Pharmacy, employees are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers.

To support employees in their professional growth, Boots Pharmacy sought a modern, scalable learning solution one that goes beyond mandatory training and offers room for personal development and enjoyment in learning. This led to a successful partnership with SkillsTown.

The challenge: limited opportunities for knowledge transfer

Previously, new knowledge was mainly transferred through on-site classroom training or live sessions via screens. As a result, learning was largely confined to day-to-day practice.

“There is so much more to learn than just what happens in the pharmacy,” says Isabelle from the Training & Development department at Boots Pharmacy. “We wanted not only to require our pharmacy staff to complete mandatory training, but also to inspire them to broaden their knowledge—about our organisation, retail, and their own role within the chain.”

In addition, there was a need for better oversight and control over progress. Who had completed which training? And how could learning remain engaging and effective?

The old approach was time-consuming and provided limited insight. Moreover, employees often had to free up half or even a full day for training, which was challenging in a busy pharmacy environment.

The solution: when learning is enjoyable, it works

With SkillsTown, Boots Pharmacy chose a learning solution that supports both employees and the organisation. Through the online learning platform, pharmacy staff gain access to a diverse mix of training programmes—from mandatory courses to personal and role-specific modules.

Using SkillsTown Create, Boots Pharmacy can now easily develop its own e-learning content, fully tailored to its employees. The courses are attractively designed with images, videos, interactive assignments, and recognisable real-life scenarios.

“It’s great that I can decide for myself when I complete a training,” one employee says.

In addition to customised modules, webinars and other internal content are shared on the platform. This creates a central, inspiring learning environment where employees can choose what suits them best.

Implementation went smoothly, thanks in part to SkillsTown’s dedicated support. “We received excellent guidance. Whenever we had questions, we immediately received clear answers and explanations.”

From getting used to it to wanting to learn

Where learning was once perceived as an obligation, employees now see it as an opportunity. The personal and accessible approach encourages them to take initiative and actively seek out training that helps them grow.

“At first, it took some getting used to, but now I really enjoy it and I also take other courses,” one employee says enthusiastically.

This shift from having to learn to wanting to learn is exactly what Boots Pharmacy aimed to achieve.

Significant growth in compliance and motivation

Since implementing SkillsTown’s learning platform, learning behaviour has not only changed but also measurably improved. The organisation has seen a significant increase in compliance compared to the previous year. Employees complete training more frequently and more quickly, while the new dashboard provides valuable insights.

In addition to improved compliance, this has led to greater ownership and engagement. Employees proactively request new modules, complete training from home, and effortlessly combine learning with their work in the pharmacy.

The results: more learning, less hassle

• Compliance: Significant increase compared to last year
• Participation: More employees voluntarily take part in training alongside mandatory modules
• Satisfaction: Employees describe the training as enjoyable, varied, and flexible
• Time Savings: No more physical training days required—learning anytime, anywhere
  The transition to SkillsTown has not only made the training process more efficient but has also created a noticeable cultural shift: learning has become part of everyday work.

The future: continuous learning, continuous growth

Boots Pharmacy remains committed to investing in employee development.“Our ambition is to continuously professionalise our training offering,” Isabelle explains. “We want to keep expanding our programme and ensure that everyone can easily find their way to the learning platform. The threshold must remain low, so learning becomes second nature and compliance continues to improve.”