Early Careers & Apprenticeship Advisor Review

As part of the Talent Team, I develop and execute Matalan’s Early Careers strategy, supporting our colleagues through internal apprenticeships and fast-track programmes. Acting as the link between the Talent Attraction & Talent Development Teams, I build strong relationships, ensuring we have the right partnerships to achieve our strategic outcomes.

During my apprenticeship, I have enhanced my stakeholder engagement and project management skills, helping me to better deliver the Early Careers strategy for the business. My qualification will further support my work in the social mobility and sustainability space, which will be beneficial for the business in the future.

I've really enjoyed the programme so far, my tutor is very supportive and the mix of online and webinar based learning suits how I like to develop.

So far, the programme is well structured and organised. I have a clear plan for when assignments and modules are due, and can easily view my progress and upload work to the Thinkific portal.

My employer is very supportive and arranges quarterly check ins with other apprentices in the business to share successes, challenges and best practice. My line manager fully supports my learning and helps me to track OTJs and gives me exposure to different parts of the business.

I have regular catch ups with my tutor, as well as the formal progress reviews and there is also a Slack channel to ask questions or connect with other learners. I also receive detailed feedback on my portfolio and other work submitted.

My role involves working with external partners to deliver Early Careers initiatives that support social mobility and employment outcomes. The qualification has helped me to understand how to better evaluate and choose the partners we work with, and to set the expectations of what the programmes can deliver.

In my role, I am able to be part of the Apprentice Ambassador Network, promoting apprenticeships across my region, and I am also an Enterprise Advisor with the Careers & Enterprise Company, supporting a local high school to hit the Gatsby Benchmarks with employer interactions.

Yes

Having worked for Matalan for 13 years, I've been able to develop my career. I first completed an NVQ back in 2012 and have now had the opportunity to develop further with this Level 4 qualification.

Show your passion and enthusiasm for the brand at your interview - skills can be developed, but a knowledge of the brand, our ethos and values would be really beneficial.