HR Business Partner L&D Review

My role involves the managing of the training budget, setting and delivering the training initiatives, developing people and organisations, Cultural development, creating content, shaping the entire talent pipeline process for my site, from recruitment to career progression. I manage the training delivery structure and seek to implement ways of working to support individual development of colleagues and managers. Deliver the site vision through training initiatives.

Although I already had some skills in training delivery, the Apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to explore ways of training, to understand how to measure the impact and how to support business cases and proposal with relevant evidence. My assignments gave me additional skills in academic writing and enabled me to expand my understanding of organisational development and key people skills.

Initially, the programme started with a feeling of adding additional pressure to an already busy role, but the way it was structured, the level of flexibility to do my own research, the support from the tutors and mentors, meant that I was able to capture most of my learning through my existing tasks and projects.

The programme was very well structured with a blend of workshops, self study, and meetings with the tutor. As the programme was delivered by two organisations - one covering the CIPD element and another covering the apprenticeship element, it meant that I was able to access double the support.

The employer was extremely supportive, with the most support being received from my mentor, who is someone who truly believed in me and my capabilities. I felt enabled to grow and be the best version of myself. I did not experience any blockers, although I do feel that perhaps it would have been good for the Apprenticeship provider to set up more regular meetings to feedback to my line manager.

The providers were both very supportive. I found that they put structure to my assignments and supported me to achieve the marks required. Both gave regular and constructive feedback balancing the positive with opportunities to improve. The phrase "would be even better if... " is a phrase I have adopted in my own feedback sessions.

I have yet to attain my qualification, although I have completed the CIPD element. I believe that it gave me the confidence and tools and techniques that I can apply in my role as well as greater depth of understanding on how to manage learning and develop individuals in the workplace and beyond.

Absolutely - the company is focusing on developing the culture. This means I was able to get involved with various working parties to celebrate diversity in the work place. I was able to network and meet like-minded colleagues from other sites. The opportunity developed my communication skills. Additionally I was part of a working group to co-create a learning initiative to deliver to all colleagues using a game approach - gamification. There are social initiatives, which I am helping to shape and although these have been on hold for a while, it is hoped that the post Covid world will resume and social activities will once again be present in our lives as employees and colleagues.

Yes

The company values are easy to adopt as they meet most individuals' values. Specifically at Ashford, there is a strong family ethos, nurturing individuality and overall a good work/ life balance is achieved. The company employs many long serving colleagues which is indicative of a company people choose to stay with. Additionally, there are great benefits, opportunities to progress and grow, as well as a friendly working environment.

Research the company - understand the heritage; you would be working for huge household names and brands you have probably grown up with. Find similarities in what you believe in and the values of the company - you will feel at home if there is a match. If you seek to develop your skills, then I encourage you to find out more about the apprenticeship programmes through the usual channel. Read up what our Apprentices had to say on social media through articles such as "not going to Uni" or on our LinkedIn page.