Experience

West Lothian Chamber of Commerce

• United Kingdom
• Information Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Regional Developing the Young Workforce Programme Manager

  • Sep 2016 - Present

  Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) is the Scottish Government’s national strategy for strengthening links between businesses and education with the headline aim of reducing youth unemployment. The strategy is delivered by employer-led regional groups across Scotland and the Developing the Young Workforce West Lothian Regional Group has been set up to implement the Commission's recommendations at a local level for the benefit of our young people and our economy. Responsible for implementing, co-ordinating and managing the programme, my focus is to strengthen industry engagement with education and to support employers to recruit and develop youth talent. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, I am responsible for line managing the DYW team to achieve the indicators set out by the DYW National Group. My remit includes strategic planning and delivery, communications and marketing, reporting and governance, extensive liaison with education and local authority partners, employer engagement, event planning and budget management. Show less



South Lanarkshire College

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Consultant - Alternative Funding, Training and Employment

  • Aug 2015 - Aug 2016

  Worked as part of the Alternative Funding department which generated additional income streams for the College. Responsible for overseeing the progress and completion of Modern Apprenticeship students, including compliance relating to the MA framework and student retention/achievement levels. Worked closely with Curriculum Managers to ensure that programmes meet stakeholder needs and were developed and delivered within required timescales. Responsible for overseeing the progress and completion of students on Employability Fund programmes, meeting KPIs on referrals, completion rates and outcomes. Contributed to the department's marketing strategy to ensure we fulfilled key objectives, including support of the Developing the Young Workforce agenda. Continuous improvement of processes and policies which enhanced the achievement of targets. Liaised with employers and community partners to ensure cohesive service provision. Developed resources and materials to enhance the quality of the programme. Maintained sound knowledge of public funding including ESF, SDS and wage subsidies. Stakeholder management and networking. Organised and presented at key employer and partner events. Contributed to audit preparation with Contract Managers. Show less



Randstad

• Netherlands
• Human Resources Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant

  • Apr 2015 - Jun 2015

  Designed and delivered a bespoke training and induction package to new and existing staff working on employability contracts in the Greater Manchester area. Ensured all material produced was of a high standard, fit for purpose and appealed to a range of learning styles. Worked collaboratively with Operations Managers to provide feedback on staff engagement, conduct and progress. Designed and delivered a bespoke training and induction package to new and existing staff working on employability contracts in the Greater Manchester area. Ensured all material produced was of a high standard, fit for purpose and appealed to a range of learning styles. Worked collaboratively with Operations Managers to provide feedback on staff engagement, conduct and progress.



Ingeus

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Performance and Delivery Manager - Work Programme

  • May 2011 - Feb 2015

  KEY ACHIEVEMENTSImplemented the Work Programme in the UK's largest site, growing the contract to successfully deliver a quality service to over 9000 clients.Selected to implement a new disability employment programme in Saudi Arabia.Member of Project Team tasked with service design of a new Service Delivery Model for the UK.Selected as a mentor to coach newly appointed Performance & Delivery Managers.Ingeus deliver the government's prime employability contract, which supports long-term unemployed clients to enter sustainable employment. My remit as a PDM included:Line managing and coordinating a multi-disciplinary team of 24 to achieve individual and team KPIs.Driving the teams to achieve challenging operational, budgetary and quality targets.Regular performance monitoring, analysis and reporting to the Executive Board, outlining operational achievements, risks, improvement plans and forecasting.Management of staff including performance management and continuous professional development.Overseeing Business and Administration Apprentices who supported the operation, including recruitment, induction and ongoing training and supervision.Working closely with the HR team to quickly address underperformance and to manage complex HR issues including misconduct, absence and grievance.Empowering and inspiring staff through coaching, developmental feedback and team building.Overseeing the quality and compliance of service provision, including audit.Managing day-to-day quality of provision, including resolving client, solicitor and MP complaints.Engaged with internal and external stakeholders and managed partners.Oversaw the P&L, including managing budgets for subcontracted service provision.Monitored resource, headcount and recruitment and training plans.Project management and implementation at regional and national level. Show less

• Deputy Operations Manager - Pathways to Work/JSA Condition Management Programme

  • Mar 2010 - May 2011

  KEY ACHIEVEMENTSSignificantly improved overall operational performance within 3 months of appointment to the role.Led the Livingston team to the top of the performance league tables within 9 months in post.Awarded the management of an additional specialist Condition Management Programme for JSA clients, where I oversaw the Service Delivery, partnership management and compliance.Contributed to achieving a significant milestone of 4000 clients in employment.Line managed a multi-disciplinary team of 12 operational staff, enabling clients with disabilities to return to meaningful and long-lasting employment.Ensured that staff achieved minimum performance standards across a range of KPIs.Undertook a range of activities to ensure that the team were ably equipped to provide appropriate levels of support to our clients, including performance/caseload reviews, audits and job shadowing.Worked closely with HR, L&D and Compliance teams to ensure staff performed consistently.Implemented community-based outreach work to improve engagement levels.Effectively dealt with operational issues such as complaints and safeguarding of vulnerable adults.Dual management of Livingston and Edinburgh operations whilst contracts phased out pending Work Programme start-up. Show less

• Employment Advisor

  • Jan 2009 - Mar 2010

  Supported clients with a variety of health conditions to progress in to decent, lasting jobs. Worked with a diverse case-load of 100 clients to help them achieve a positive outcome.Motivated, encouraged and empowered clients to achieve their short and long term goals.Provided a holistic service to clients, ensuring individuals were signposted to receive appropriate support to address debt issues, literacy and numeracy needs and health conditions.Maintained awareness of local labour market conditions and recruitment & selection methods.Proactively engaged with a range of employers to source suitable job opportunities.Created and facilitated employability training sessions for groups of clients.Supported the management team with external audits, including HMIE & DWP.Contributed to operational and team performance through achievement of KPIs. Show less



Fairfax Media

• Australia
• Online Media
• 700 & Above Employee

• Researcher

  • Jan 2008 - May 2008

  Worked as part of the Business Media Team to assist in daily research operations. This involved: Relationship building with Senior Management across a range of partner organisations. Marketing and promoting events. Conducting market research, achieving tight deadlines set by editorial staff. Worked as part of the Business Media Team to assist in daily research operations. This involved: Relationship building with Senior Management across a range of partner organisations. Marketing and promoting events. Conducting market research, achieving tight deadlines set by editorial staff.



Wiedtal-Gymnasium (British Council)

• Bonn Area, Germany

• English Language Assistant

  • Sep 2004 - May 2005

  Employed in secondary education in Germany to instruct a range of levels of English, from the ages of 10-21 years of age. Successfully planned and conducted English lessons, engaging with classes of up to 30 students. Ensured lessons were interactive and appealed to a range of learning styles. Set and marked homework tasks and updated teaching staff with regards to student progress. Provided private tuition to students to aid their progress. Employed in secondary education in Germany to instruct a range of levels of English, from the ages of 10-21 years of age. Successfully planned and conducted English lessons, engaging with classes of up to 30 students. Ensured lessons were interactive and appealed to a range of learning styles. Set and marked homework tasks and updated teaching staff with regards to student progress. Provided private tuition to students to aid their progress.