Emerging Talent Adviser Review

My role is to support the development of our Graduates and Apprentices whilst they are on programme. I support them through the recruitment process, induction and onboarding, through to their rotations and development activities whilst on programme and finanlly supporting with rolling off programme into permanent roles in the business. I support through 1-2-1's, coaching conversations and running some of the development workshops.

Being able to join the Coaching Professional Apprenticeship has meant I have been able to develop the skill of providing good coaching conversations to our Graduates and Apprentices. Already, I have noticed a difference in my confidence in my coaching conversations and have learnt a lot about the theory behind coaching as well as the different models, contracting, unconscious bias and safeguarding.

I am thoroughly enjoying my programme. Even though I am only 5 months into it I felt I have gained so much more confidence already and can see the impact my learning is having on my role in Dixons. Understanding more of the theory that sits behind coaching is helping me to develop more in-depth conversations.

The programme is very well organised and structured. With the online portal I am able to see all of the activities that make up the programme and when all of the online virtual classrooms will take place. My Learning Development Practitioner is always on hand to offer support and guidance.

The support I receive from my employer and my Line Manager is fantastic. I know that I am able to take some time from my day-to-day role to complete the learning activities and put the theory I'm learning into practice. I am able to go to my Line Manager to talk through any questions I have or to discuss my learnings.

The training provider has been great. I have had questions a couple of times about some of the development work but I have dropped an email to my Learning Development Practitioner and I have quickly received a response and had a call booked in to discuss it. Where I have had issues with not being able to attend the virtual classroom sessions they have worked hard to find alternatives for me to attend.

I have recently had conversations with my Line Manager about my role evolving to be able to provide more support and development to our Graduates and Apprentices. The Coaching Professional Apprenticeship qualification will help to increase my knowledge, awareness, understanding and confidence in providing better support through coaching conversations and in their development activities.

There are a number of extra-curricular activities to get involved in with Dixons. At our Acton office there is an onsite gym available to employees, we also run social events for our Graduates prior to them joining the business (to be able to meet their new cohort) as well as at 'graduation' when they come off programme to celebrate their success. We are currently joining Business in the Community in a voluntary initiative to support the technical development of the elderly and vulnerable in the community. I have also been able to attend a number of awards events where I have been able to meet people in similar roles in different businesses to learn more from them.

Yes

I have worked at Dixons Carphone for three and a half years. I thoroughly enjoy my role and appreciate how it has evolved over my time here, I have a great Line Manager who is continuously thinking of my development and always there to offer me support and guidance and the wider team I work in are great people. As a company, I feel that Dixons looks after it's employees whether this is through pay, development and career opportunities or wellbeing.

My advice to anyone applying for a role in Dixons Carphone would be to read about and do your best to understand the business. Using this understanding in the application process, through telephone or face-to-face interviews will show that you are interested in the business and have taken the time to do research. I would also recommend applying for roles in an area that you genuinely have an interest in, this shines through during the application process. Make sure to ask any questions you have and do you best to enjoy the process!