Meet Damian Shaw, Lead People Coordinator at Currys, who recently completed the CIPD Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship with Reed Business School. Following a career change from the retail sector, Damian wanted to gain a CIPD qualification and expand his HR skills. Despite early struggles, Damian’s determination following his dyslexia diagnosis and the support of his Reed Business School tutor, Debbie Sleightholm, have led to his successful qualification.
Here Damian tells us about his learning journey, his passion for helping people through HR, and his goals for the future.
What was your career experience before your apprenticeship?
I was a store manager for many different companies for about 23 years. Before Currys, I spent 15 with Superdrug, but Iceland was where I built my career up from working part time to running my own shop within 18 months.
Being a store manager was where my enjoyment of the people element came from, I enjoyed being able to support, manage and coach people. I’d recommend HR as a career for others looking to leave retail, as we deal with the HR issues anyway and it’s definitely a gateway into the people element.
How did you get into your current role and start your apprenticeship?
I initially applied to Currys for a driving job, which I didn't end up taking due to my experience. However the People Coordinator from that job contacted me again to suggest I apply for her role as she was moving on and she thought I would be great at it. It was quite a big step, but I took the jump and started as a People Coordinator for the Wednesbury site in Birmingham. Two years later, I moved to a Lead People Coordinator role which looks after the centre of England.
When I first started at Currys, the site manager told me they did HR apprenticeships and I was keen to apply. I went for the test with Emma Taylor, Reed Business School’s Apprenticeship Manager, and was accepted to a Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship.
After starting the apprenticeship, I realised I was struggling. I hadn't really accepted over the years that I'm dyslexic and I’d never been properly diagnosed. I nearly gave up on the course, but my mum talked me round and supported me to finally get tested. It was a four and a half hour test that really put me out my comfort zone, but I was finally diagnosed as severely dyslexic. That gave me the kick I needed to say to myself, “You know what? I'm going to give the apprenticeship a go.”
Following my struggle with dyslexia, Currys also changed their policy in response to protect and help people like me. It was an honour to have been one of the reasons for that positive change.
How did you work with your tutor and how did you find the support offered?
My tutor was Debbie Sleightholm. If it weren't for her, I'd have absolutely given up. I owe my everything to her, she's an absolute legend.
Obviously after my diagnosis, I was given extra time and that sort of stuff, but it was Debbie who helped me with understanding the course content. Debbie used to go through it, word for word, put things into simple terms and break it down into steps for me. She was so patient with me as well, because I would have the same question several times before it went in.
You were one of the apprentices affected by the government’s recent removal of the requirement for Functional Skills. Did you find that decision was beneficial to you and your apprenticeship?
It was like winning the lottery. That was one of the biggest things that I was struggling with. The English wasn't too bad, but I really struggled with the maths. I had one-to-one support to help which was brilliant, but it did almost bring me back to school, as well, and those memories of struggling and teachers having a go at me.
I think that for someone my age, English and maths aren’t going to define my people skills and what I do in my role.
How did you find juggling work and studying during your apprenticeship?
When I first started the apprenticeship as a People Coordinator it was a lot easier. I had Fridays at home to do my off the job training and could crack on without any interruptions.
In my new position as Lead People Coordinator, I've got people under me as a line manager and I'm responsible for eight sites. So, it was more of a challenge to juggle those emails that were still coming in and prioritise what could wait till tomorrow while I worked on the apprenticeship.
What new skills and knowledge have your developed to improve your work?
When I first started, Debbie said to me, “You need to screw your store manager head off and put your HR head on”. It was quite hard at first to do that because I’d been a store manager for 23 years and that's how I thought.
I’ve gained a lot of knowledge in the HR function that has helped me think differently now. I e-mail differently. I speak differently. I pause and put on my HR head before my answers.
How important is it to be CIPD qualified for HR jobs?
It’s very important. Looking at roles I could progress toward, they either want a Level 5 or upwards to demonstrate that knowledge and that understanding of HR.
What are your ultimate career aims?
I'd like to be a HR Business Partner, but on the people management and support advisory side, rather than looking at strategy. That’s the most rewarding part of the role for me, that people look at me and approach me for help. I've had big bolshie grown men cry with me because I'm that people person who’s mental health trained and can help them actually open up.
That's why that's why I can sleep at night. Because I know I can help people.
What has been your overall experience of studying with us?
If it weren't for Debbie, it would have been a different scenario. But because of her, I think it's been great and really supportive. I can't thank everybody enough from Reed Business School who have supported me through the challenges I've had.
Would you recommend Reed Learning to others?
Definitely, I would 100% recommend.