Experience

University of Plymouth

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student/Apprentice Experience Manager

  • Feb 2020 - Present

  Leading on and managing Student Apprentice experience across all apprenticeship programmes to include; developing, implementing, and managing a service supporting apprentices with additional learning and health needs.Key responsibilities:•Operational management and implementation of a number of Student Apprentice Experience initiatives •To review and engage with various student Apprentices, survey qualitative and quantitative data to suggest and implement improvements •Plan and co-ordinate intervention support at key life cycle stages•Developing communications and improving outreach to Student Apprentices across all sites and digital platforms •Design and develop processes, procedures, policies and practices that support the apprenticeship strategy, maintain legal and professional compliance, and deliver on the commitment to continuous improvement in promoting support for Student Apprentices with additional learning and/or health needs •Monitoring and overseeing the progress of all Health Apprentices, ensuring we are Ofsted compliant•Responsible for leading on the Apprenticeship recruitment for all Health programmes

• Employer Relationship Liaison

  • May 2018 - Feb 2020

  Managing and developing a portfolio of employer business relationships, primarily focused on degree apprenticeships. Working with apprentices and employers to contribute to a positive learner experience, throughout their journey, from enquiry to alumni.Key responsibilities:• Undertaking monitoring and review visits to support the apprentice, the employer and ESFA compliance • Networking with employers and employer groups to develop the University Apprenticeship offer, building relationships and collaborative working• Championing the University Apprenticeship offer to employers, feeding back their needs to the University; helping to deliver an effective, efficient and responsive service• Undertaking an employer needs analysis approach to employer relationships, directing apprenticeship and other enquiries to the relevant parts of the University requirements

• Employability Assistant

  • Jul 2015 - May 2018

  Contributing to the delivery of a comprehensive, customer focused and integrated Employability and Careers Service.Key responsibilities• Supporting students and recent graduates to develop tailored CVs and covering letters aimed at part-time or graduate level roles and placement opportunities• Carrying out diagnostics face-to-face, via email and over the phone and supporting students, graduates and employers to access relevant services across the university and externally when appropriate• Offering information, advice and guidance on areas including interviews, applications and job search strategies to students and graduates during daily drop-in sessions in the Careers and Employability Hub• Collaborating with immediate and university wide colleagues to produce marketing material including a Creative CV Guide and Entrepreneurial Timeline leaflet• Responsible for driving engagement with the department social media platforms by creating, publishing and sharing daily content on the Careers and Employability Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages• Contributing to planning meetings and the delivery of various service wide events including a Creative CV Competition and annual Graduate/Part-Time Job Fairs• Supporting the delivery of the Employer Mentoring Programme, engaging new employers and assisting with training sessions



Achievement Training Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Traineeship Co-ordinator

  • Mar 2015 - Jul 2015

  Supporting 16 - 24 year old learners become work ready. Coordinated and helped to provide essential work preparation training including Functional Skills Maths and English, Employability Skills Training as well as a work experience placement.Key responsibilities:• Identifying areas for new service engagement and actively marketing the Traineeship Programme to meet monthly sign up targets• Assisting learners to develop an Individual Learning Plan, identifying areas of current competence and agreeing/recording targets for achievement/development• Engaging with and developing relationships with local employers and referral agencies • Offering 1-1 IAG and mentoring support based on individual needs and circumstances and progressing learners into an Apprenticeship or paid work within 6 months of commencement • Monitoring learner progress with the placement employer and undertaking regular formal reviews • Assisting learners to develop an Individual Learning Plan, identifying areas of current competence and agreeing/recording targets for achievement/development • Sourcing suitable work placements for learners in their chosen career sector through regular cold calling and marketing to local employers with a focus on building effective links for future placements

• Tutor/Personal Adviser

  • Nov 2014 - Mar 2015

  Delivering a NCFE Level 1 Award in Employability Skills to 18-24 year old benefit claimants who were mandated to attend by their Job Centre Adviser. Key responsibilities:• Facilitating CV and letter writing workshops• Working closely with the curriculum team and Job Centre staff • Acting as personal tutor to students, including those with LDD/ALN • Holding mock interviews and providing constructive feedback to learners • Carrying out Initial and Diagnostic Assessments to formulate goals for learners • Maintaining student welfare and discipline, providing guidance and counselling when required



Barnardo's

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Worker 1

  • Jun 2013 - Oct 2014

  Providing advice, support and services to children, young people and their families to overcome barriers to employment, education and training. Areas of support included housing, drug and alcohol misuse, employability and debt concerns. My role required me to work alongside a large number of professionals from services including Adult Social Care, Families with a Future (FWAF) and the Family Intervention Programme (FIP). Key responsibilities:• Carrying out team forecasting and budget management• Development and delivery of a Level 1 NOCN Personal Development and Work Skills course• Identifying barriers to employment, education and training and implementing action plans with service users on the Families Action Programme• Collaborating with the lead of the Families Action Programme and providers engaged with the Troubled Families Agenda on offering a city-wide joined up service• Highlighting new potential referral routes with Youth and Children’s Centres across Plymouth and delivering a programme of awareness sessions to drive engagement• Taking a lead role in driving and implementing effective procedures for a new contract while promoting our offer by presenting to, and regularly leading meetings with managers/teams from JobCentre Plus



Age UK Plymouth

• Carers Support Worker

  • Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

  Offering practical and emotional support to unpaid carers in Plymouth. Facilitating regular carers support groups and devising/delivering Carers Awareness Training. As an addition to my role I was asked to write and design the Carers Hub newsletter that was issued to local carers and organisations.Key responsibilities:• Offering information and advice to older carers aged 60+ • Facilitating regular carer support groups across Plymouth • Helping older carers identify their needs, access services and maintain their independence • Responding to carers experiencing various difficulties, providing appropriate time limited emotional and practical support



Plymouth Guild (DIAC)

• Hospital and Outreach Benefits Adviser

  • May 2012 - Dec 2012

  Offering benefits advice to stroke and head injury patients at Mount Gould Hospital, Plymouth. Key responsibilities:• Liaising with Adult Social Care and the medical profession to ensure appropriate support for patients while in hospital and once discharged • Ensuring income maximisation through better off calculations • Supporting and developing a large team of volunteers during the daily running of the Disability Information and Advice Centre



Plymouth Guild (DIAC)

• Disability Employment Adviser

  • Sep 2011 - Mar 2012

  Supporting individuals with a variety of barriers to work to prevent them from becoming long-term benefit claimants. Supporting working age benefit claimants referred by the Job Centre with a range of disabilities including mental health, physical and sensory. DWP funded 6 month programme.Key responsibilities: • Accessing funding, grants and relevant training courses • Identifying barriers and supporting individuals to overcome them • Signposting to employment and training organisations • Assisting in Disability Living Allowance applications and advising on in and out-of-work benefits • Liaising with Job Centre and other partners involved with the Flexible Support Fund Project



Pluss

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Job Coach

  • Oct 2010 - Apr 2011

  Identifying jobseeker skills, strengths and employment preferences on the DWP Work Choice contract. Managing a caseload of customers with a range of disabilities including physical, sensory and learning disabilities. Working alongside a team of Employment Consultants to ensure all customers engaging with the programme received appropriate employability support, ensuring they progressed into and sustained their employment.Key responsibilities:• Identifying jobseeker skills, strengths and employment preferences • Delivering job coaching services on employment related programmes • Supporting weekly job clubs and group training sessions • Offering a range of practical support and on-the-job training • Creating CV's and holding mock interviews with customers



H&M

• Sweden
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Store Manager

  • Aug 2008 - Mar 2010

• Sales Assistant - Assistant Manager

  • Jul 2001 - Aug 2008

  Working my way up through the company in a variety of roles including Floor Manager and Assistant Manager. Company requests to relocate allowed me to be based in 3 different sized stores before settling in Plymouth where I was promoted to Store Manager. As a company trainer I worked out of a variety of new and existing stores including Dublin, Reading Oracle, Croydon and Manchester for months at a time before returning to my base store. Prior to being promoted to Store Manager I was asked to open the new Walton-on-Thames store as Acting Store Manager where I was responsible for training the staff, coordinating the set up of the store and leading the team through the initial first months of trade.