Conservatory Outlet’s apprenticeship programme continues to go from strength to strength, with Warehouse Manager Adeoye Adedayo becoming the latest employee to complete a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Operations Management.
Adeoye, who has been with the Wakefield-based fabricator for four years, successfully concluded the course – equivalent to a foundation degree - after building an extensive portfolio of on-the-job and off-the-job projects. Alongside practical and academic work, Adeoye also received one-to-one mentoring from his tutor and support from the company itself.
“The apprenticeship has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to lead and motivate my team,” Adeoye said.
“I’ve gained new insight into team building, conflict resolution and strategic planning. It's had a positive effect on everything, and I can’t believe that I’ve achieved a foundation degree. This qualification gives me a strong platform for the future, and I’m committed to taking on new challenges and opportunities for growth within the organisation.”
As part of his final project, he had to propose and implement new warehouse processes, which were then measured by and discussed by a panel of independent assessors.
These changes, including the adoption of 5S principles, have already delivered operational improvements, with Conservatory Outlet’s transport and warehousing departments achieving their highest-ever scores in the company’s quarterly Customer Journey Survey – a key metric the manufacturer uses to monitor performance.
Reflecting on Adeoye’s achievements, Greg Kane, Conservatory Outlet’s CEO, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Adeoye. He has worked very hard to reach this point and has grown both personally and professionally throughout his apprenticeship. His development has been a joy to see as he’s progressed through the company to his current position in our management team.”
“His success is a clear example of how investing in people drives tangible business benefits. Our apprenticeships aren’t just a training programme, they’re a route to better processes, stronger leadership and a more resilient business.
Adeoye’s accomplishment sits within a broader training programme that the business continues to scale. Conservatory Outlet has invested a significant six-figure sum over the past few years to embed and provide opportunities for development across all departments, from the office to the shopfloor.
This sustained, long-term investment has seen nearly 75% of its employees benefit from either an apprenticeship or job-specific training courses. At the moment, the fabricator has a further 11 people working towards degree-level qualifications and an additional 9 people on undergraduate apprenticeships.
And this comes at a time when the fabricator is also rolling out free training courses for sales professionals working across its Network of Premium Retailers.
Greg adds: “The dedication shown by Adeoye and all our apprentices, plus the willingness of colleagues to support them, sums up who we are as a business. We’re always moving forward, looking to be better and provide a truly leading service.
“We view these programmes as part of a long-term talent strategy that benefits both our team and our customers.”
