Student Case Study: Natalie Snaddon – Go Outdoors (JD Group)

We recently caught up with Level 5 Apprentice and JD Group, Go Outdoors Store Manager, Natalie Snaddon, to gather her feedback on how she discovered her Apprenticeship programme opportunity and how it’s going to date.

Natalie told Qube: “I received information around the Apprenticeship from (JD Group) Head Office and in business trade updates, however it wasn’t until I attended and internal ‘Product Road Show’ in September 2021 that I had the opportunity to talk to the Qube Apprenticeship team; I’m so pleased I did! I left the Road Show feeling inspired by the Apprenticeship opportunity and what it offered to the team and indeed myself.

Thereafter, during career discussions with my Line Manager about where I see myself in the future and what skills and attributes I would need to enable me to progress into other retail roles helped identify next steps for me. This led me to have a a discussion with Rachael Gallen at Qube and after reading through the Course information, I knew the Apprenticeship route was right for me.“

“I became aware that I had become comfortable in my current position and I believe the Level 5 ‘Operations / Departmental Manager’ Apprenticeship offers me the opportunity to come out of my comfort zone, take on new styles of learning and be introduced to different literature and learning styles. I realise my potential and aim to broaden my understanding of the wider retail business.

I feel Apprenticeships are a really good opportunity for people to upskill, to learn on the job, to explore areas of themselves that they maybe previously have not considered important.

The benefit for me being on the programme is to improve the opportunity for career development, explore different management, learning and leadership styles ultimately to become a more rounded leader / individual.

I believe in investing in training for my employees and I want my team to know how important they are to myself and the business. Training of any type increases job satisfaction and morale which in turn provides better staff retention. To make this a success, I have set up all my candidates with a mentor.

Time management was an initial concern however after meeting with Qube the realisation that the majority of this completed on the job alleviated that that concern. There is a degree of off the job training but I am confident that that is achievable.

We also caught up with Carl Harris, a Go Outdoors, Regional Customer & Stores Manager, who had the following to say about Apprenticeships:

“I have been Natalie’s line manager for six years. She has consistently delivered against KPI’s , had an engaged team, supported myself with any additional requests to help out across the region. During her End of Year reviews we always discussed personal development and future career goals. The outcome was always that she was happy in role and had no desire to progress;  However, this year she began to talk to me about her future and possibly an Area Manager role. We discussed the Apprenticeship scheme and the part it could play in her Personal Development Plan and agreed that Level 5 would be a suitable level to support her learning journey. I believe that this will give her the confidence to go further, inspire and stretch her to come out of her comfort zone and fulfil her potential.

Apprenticeships will support the growth of the colleagues within my team, an output being they feel valued and are more engaged with our vision and purpose, thereafter driving retention.

In a world where people can be selective about who they choose to work for, Apprenticeships can be part of how we become an Employer of Choice, attracting and retaining talent.

I’d say to anyone thinking about an Apprenticeship: Talk to your Line Manager and other colleagues who are already doing one to make sure it’s right for you and just go for It!!!“

For more information on current Apprenticeship opportunities available at JD Group, via the Qube recruitment division ‘Qube Talent’, please click here.