Leyland SDM has launched an in-house training academy to ensure staff can successfully offer “industry-leading customer service and expert advice”.
The fully equipped training facility is located at the decorators’ merchant’s Acton store in London. New recruits will spend five days at the academy before taking to the shopfloor, which has been set up as a replica store to mimic the in-branch experience. As their development progresses, they will return to the training academy to devlop painting, plumbing and basic electrics skills to be able to offer practical advice from their own first-hand experience.
In addition to new starters, the academy will also support exisiting staff with their growth and development, supporting career progression with further product, IT, personal development and management skills training.
Tony Sak, Training Academy Lead, said Leyland SDM set up its academy as it was struggling to find an external course bespoke to the DIY and decorating industry. He said: “We’re excited to be embarking on this new modern approach to training. There are recruitment and retention issues across the industry, as potential candidates favour other industries than painting and decorating or merchant retail. We are trying to combat that by giving our people the very best training and knowledge and provide a platform for career development.
“In the past we have used external partners for training. However, we found that, while there were many providers available for some industries, there was nothing specific for the DIY retailer. The only sensible solution was to create our own.”
Numerous suppliers – including PPG, which manufactures Leyland paint, Dulux, Farrow & Ball and Everbuild – have already visited the academy to inform Leyland SDM colleagues about their products.
Tony added: “The specialist knowledge of our colleagues has always been an important part of our offering. Our customers really value that local expert advice. This move will ensure we’re giving our people all the information they need to start and progress their careers with us.”
