Dimension Data launches career-planning portal with GIBS

The GIBS online career mentor tool will have exposure in all of Dimension Data's international branches by having a customised website as part of the Dimension Data global career management platform.

GIBS has always prided itself on being both leading edge and close to business, creating education platforms that clearly demonstrate its understanding of business needs. As part of this, GIBS launched neXt, an exciting online career mentoring initiative, in 2007 for those individuals who are passionate about their own career development and about answering the question: 'What's next in my career?' NeXt is designed as a customisable guidance and navigation website portal in which individuals can assess personal preferences, determine where they are in their career and what steps can be taken to achieve their next goals.

Assessment tools assist in career options

According to Alison Reid, GIBS senior manager of personal and applied learning, the neXt online career mentor uses a guided reflection approach consisting of 13 assessment tools that are very useful in planning, reviewing and identifying career options and next steps. "The neXt exercises direct participants to review their own strengths and characteristics and to be supported in making their next career decision based on the results of their reflections."

Self-help exercises form an integral part of Dimension Data's career management portal which allows employees to look at various jobs and possible career progression paths based on the jobs they currently hold. They will also have the opportunity to rate their skills in order to identify gaps for further growth and development as well as formalise a personal development plan.

Access to career management information

"The Dimension Data career portal advises that the most crucial step in managing your career is getting to know yourself. This applies whether you're just starting your career, well-established but in need of change, or happy where you are but still wanting to grow and improve. To make wise career choices it is important not only to know your skills, knowledge and experience, but also your inherent strengths, motivations, career anchors and learning styles," says Nicolene Hogg, global learning and development specialist at Dimension Data.

The partnership between GIBS and Dimension Data will provide exercises that help employees to reflect on what they need to do to take the next steps in their careers. On the career portal, there will be a variety of exercises that aim to generate a confidential and individualised report to help them make wise career choices. In addition, this personal career decision-making tool will give employees access to career management information such as "how to" guide articles, links and other self-help material via the portal.