Conservatory Outlet’s Apprenticeship Programme Sees Further Success

Michelle Horne (left) and Sarah Fox (right) received their Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Operations Management from Conservatory Outlet’s Head of HR, Karen Starkey (centre)

Wakefield’s Conservatory Outlet is celebrating its expanded support for learning and development as two members of senior management are the first to pass through the company’s Degree Apprenticeship programme.

Michelle Horne (Operations Manager) and Sarah Fox (Account Manager) have completed their Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Operations Management.

To achieve this qualification, comparable to a foundation degree, the pair had to participate in monthly training masterclasses across the course’s two-year duration. Alongside these regular workshops, Michelle and Sarah also received one-to-one mentoring and had to complete a series of practical activities and examinations.

Their final assessment was centred around the delivery of a project they implemented at work, culminating in a presentation about their chosen project’s impact on the business to a panel of academic teachers and business leaders.

Completing the course was a full-circle moment for Michelle, who started her career in the industry as an entry-level apprentice and has since gone on to mentor other learners in the business. This role in helping newcomers to the industry saw her named Mentor of the Year in the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.

“Apprenticeships have been central to my entire career,” Michelle explains.

“Recently, I’ve been helping with Conservatory Outlet’s apprenticeship programme, mentoring several school-leavers as they join the business and begin their professional careers. So, being able to enter the classroom again, so to speak, and become a learner again was a privilege.

“If you’d have asked me when I first left school whether or not I’d end up with a qualification like this, I’d say absolutely not!”

“Conservatory Outlet has been incredibly supportive and placed great faith and trust in me. They’ve believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. They gave me the best chance to succeed and grow, both personally and professionally.”

Karen Starkey (l), presenting Michelle Horne with her Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Operations Management

It’s a similar story for Sarah, who jumped at the chance to undertake the Level 5 qualification. After completing a Level 2 and Level 3 course earlier in her career in a different sector, she felt the time was right to dip back into academia after recently moving into a more senior role within the business.

Michelle and Sarah’s achievement is just the tip of the iceberg. Several staff members who are enrolled in the course are expected to complete their final assessments in the coming months, and they will mark the first ‘class’ to graduate from the company’s Degree Apprenticeship programme.

These specific higher-level training qualifications come after a hugely successful year for Conservatory Outlet’s apprenticeships scheme. The company continues to provide training and development opportunities for both new and existing members of its workforce, with nearly a quarter of the manufacturer’s 180-strong team benefitting from access to additional work-based qualifications.

Karen Starkey (l), presenting Sarah Fox with her Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Operations Management

Karen Starkey, Conservatory Outlet’s Head of HR, concludes: “It’s great to see Michelle and Sarah thrive and obtain their Level 5 HND Diplomas. As a company, we firmly believe in apprenticeships and provide a variety of pathways for people to advance their careers, such as this Graduate Degree Programme or support for newcomers to the sector or workforce with Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications.

“We’ve invested £250,000 into training and development. As we continue to grow the business, we must have the ability to bring through and nurture talent. Michelle and Sarah are the first two to benefit from our Degree Apprenticeship programme, and many more will undoubtedly follow.”

For further information, please visit www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk or follow the company on its socials @conservatoryoutlet.