Make the Future Yours! Issue 7

OPPORTUNITIES DISCOVERED AT TJX EUROPE

A TJX Europe Apprenticeship is where it can all begin. Come and discover different.

LOCATION: Our brand new Campus near to Watford Junction Station

NOW HIRING FOR 2023: Finance Apprentice / Buying and Merchandising Apprentice / ICT Apprentice / And more

Whichever area of our business you choose, expect excitement, support and inspiration as we go all-out to develop the talent you’ve got and give you the career you want. Apply now at tjxearlycareers.com

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Newroutesinto acareerinhealth

Awarenessofthevarietyofskillsourhealthindustryneedshas grownrecentlywiththeNHSsooftenintheheadlines.Most peoplenowunderstandthatit’snotjustDoctorsandNurses whoworkinhospitalsandhealthcaresettingsbutawide varietyofmedical,alliedhealthcareandbusinesssupportstaff too.Wespoketotwopeoplewhotakeuphealthcarerolesand areconsideringthepossibleroutesfordoingthat.

AlishahBasharatisdoingaTLevelin HealthcareatBoltonCollege,whichshe expectstofinishinsummer2024.Shechose theTLevelbecausesheknowsshewantsa careerincare,eitherinneonatalnursing, lookingafternew-bornbabies,orin counsellingandtherapy.TheTLevelcourse willprovideherwiththeappropriate qualificationstocontinueontoafull-time UniversitycourseortoundertakeaDegree Apprenticeship.

“I’mthinkingaboutdoingadegree apprenticeshipaftermyTLevel,”Alishahsaid. “Alotofpeoplepreferpracticallearningand learnbetterthatway.”

IncontrasttoAlishah,DeanRamsdenhas foundacareerinhealthcarelaterinlife. Havingbeenmaderedundantfromhiscareer inITduringthepandemic,Dean’sinterestin sportcreatedanopportunityforhim.Having completedatastercourseinSportsMassage, hewascontactedbytheNHSduringthe pandemictoworkonatemporaryCOVID-19 contractprovidingsupporttospeech therapists.

Thissparkedapassiontopursuea physiotherapycareer,andhebegananAccess CourseatBoltonCollegelastSeptember,with aviewtostudyingfurthertobecomea qualifiedphysiotherapist.Whilehe’s

thoroughlyenjoyed hisAccessCourse, Deanthinksthat practical,on-the-job learningwouldhave beenhighly beneficialforhim.

“Icurrentlyworkasa physioassistantpart time,threedaysa week,whichI’m doingindependently ofmystudies,“Deanexplained.“Ididn’tknowof anycentralinformationpointstofindoutabout routesintophysiotherapysoIhadtoring peopleandaskwhatmyoptionswere.Iwould havebeenveryinterestedintheapprenticeship route.Itwouldhavebeenanalternativeway intophysiotherapythat,atthetime,wouldhave beenmoreaccessibletome.”

FortunatelyforbothAlishahandDean, healthcarerelatedqualificationsand Apprenticeshipsaregrowingallthetimeso havingjustthe‘traditional,academic’routeisno longerhastobetheonlyoption.

AnewmodelforFEin addressingNHSskills challenges?

InJune2022anewteachingfacility wasapprovedthatissettoshakeup howpeoplearetrainedand employedinthehealthcaresector. Acollaborationbetweenthe UniversityofBolton,BoltonCollege, BoltonNHSFoundationTrustand BoltonCouncil,thenewBolton CollegeofMedicalSciences(BCMS) isexpectedtoactasapilotscheme forfuturecollaborationsacrossthe country.

•Forfurtherinformationaboutthe350+ differentjobrolesthatworkintheNHS, havealookat: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/exploreroles/explore-roles#3445

•Forinformationonhealthcarerelated Apprenticeships,exploreat: https:// www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/ apprenticeship-standards/

•AndtofindTLevelopportunitiesnew youinEngland,putyourpostcodeinthe searchfacilityhere: https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/ find?Postcode=LS2+7QT&ShouldSearch=Tru e&SelectedQualificationId=0

Understoodtobethefirstfacilityof itskindintheUK,BCMSwillprovide practicalskills-basedlearningina livehospitalenvironment.Locatedat theRoyalBoltonHospital,itwillgive peopleadirectrouteintohealthcare employmentandoffercareer developmentopportunitiesforthe existinghealthcareworkforce. Workcommencedonbuilding constructioninJuly2022withthe projectduetocompletebyJuly2024. Theschemeisexpectedto contribute£150moveritseconomic lifetimeandcreateupto20,000new jobsandapprenticeships.

“Weknowourprogresswillbe followedcloselyinGreater Manchester–andbeyond,”said PrincipalandCEOofBoltonCollege, BillWebster.“We’dbehappytotalk tootherFEcollegesaboutwhatthey candotoworkmorecloselywith theirlocalNHSpartners.Thereis clearbenefittoclosercollaboration betweenlocalhealthcareproviders andFE/HEpartners.”

Whyisworkexperienceimportant?

Ithasn’tbeenarequirementforschoolsandcollegestooffer workexperienceplacementstostudentssince2012,unlessthe studentiscompletingaqualificationorstudyprogramme whichrequiresit.Consequently,theopportunityformost studentstotryworkexperiencecanbehighlyvariable.We lookatwhyworkexperienceissoimportantandwhystudents shouldbetakingtheinitiativethemselves,iftheirschoolor collegedoesn’tofferit.

“Myworkplacementwasabrilliant experience,”saidLauren,nowaged50.“It reallyhelpedmeworkoutwhatIdidn’twantto do!”Laurenwasluckyenoughthatherschool madetimeinYear10forstudentstogoona fortnight’splacement.Shehadnoideawhat shewantedtodoasacareer,sotheschool placedherintheofficeofalocalbusiness. “Theofficewasniceenough,andthepeople werekindandtookaninterestinme.ButI realisedthatIwasreallymissingtheschool environment;thehighlightofmyplacement waswhenmyTutorcametovisit!Asaresult,I realisedthatIwantedtobeateacher.I completedmyteachertrainingatUniversity andI’mstilltrainingothersalltheseyears later.”

Lauren’sstoryisnotuncommon.Ifyouask them,manypeoplewillsaythatwork experiencehelpedthemworkoutwhatthey didn’twanttodo.Whetherbecausethereality ofajobtheythoughttheywanteddidn’tmatch theirexpectationsorbecause,likeLauren, theyhadnoideaandworkexperiencebecame partoffiguringthatout,thiscanbeone importantbenefitoftryingsomething.Butit’s bynomeansthemostsignificant.

Fatheroftwonowgrown-updaughters,Peter pointedoutthebenefitshesawthemgain fromtheirworkexperience.“Ididn’thavethe opportunitytodoanyworkexperiencewhenI wasatschoolsoIwasverykeenforbothmy girlstotakeanythingtheycouldget.They bothhadpart-timejobsinretailwhilethey wereatcollege;theinterviewprocessalone, nevermindtheteamworkingandcustomer serviceskillsitgavethem,wassovaluable.For myeldest,itwasaworkexperience opportunitywhichledtoherfirstjob.She appliedforaninternshipforwhileshewasat university,andtheyweresopleasedwithher thattheyofferedherafull-timejobwhenshe graduated.”

Speakingasanemployer,Raymondagreed.“I likeitwhenyoungpeopleapproachmetoask ifIcanofferthemworkexperience;itshows initiativeandI’malreadythinkingtheycouldbe mynextapprentice,”hesaid.“Iliketoseework experience,whateveritis,onanyapplication formIread;itshowsmethatthisyoungperson ispreparedtostepoutoftheircomfortzone andtrysomethingnew.Theywillundoubtedly havelearntsomethingfromthatexperience–timekeeping,responsibility,workingwithadults

theydon’tknow–whichareallrelevanttoany workplace,includingmine.”

“Whenitcomestomakingapplications,some youngpeoplestruggletofindappropriate adultstoberefereesforthem,”HRspecialist Russellpointedout.“Iwouldexpecttosee onearefereefromtheirlatestschoolor collegebutit’sreassuringwhenIseeanother fromanadultcompletelyoutsideofthat:their Scoutleader,themanagerattheirSaturday job,justsomeonewhoseesadifferentsideof themthanschooldoes.Areferencefrom somethingyouhavedonevoluntarilycan speakvolumesabouttherealyouandwhat motivatesyou.”

Anextendedworkexperienceplacementgave Ruksharherfirstjobopportunity.“Ihadbeen applyingforlotsofrolesbuthadbeenover-

looked,somyconfidencehadbeenknocked. Myplacement,throughacollegeprogramme, gavemetheopportunitytoshowmyfuture employerthatIwascapableofworkingand fittinginthere,soIwasthrilledwhenthey offeredmeanAdvancedApprenticeshipat theendofit.Havingtriedtheworkplaceout already,IknewIcoulddoitsoIhappily accepted.”

Ifyouhaven’thadtheopportunitytotrya workplace(anyworkplace)yet,we’dstrongly recommendthatyoutaketheinitiativeand organisesomethingforthenextchanceyou have.Itisclearthatyouwillgainlotsfromit–andsometimesevenmorethanyouexpect!

Makingthemostof yourhobbies

HaveyounoticedthatmostapplicationformsandCVtemplates includeasectiononwhatyourhobbiesandinterestsare?Butwhy onearthwouldanemployerwanttoknowthat?Howdoesyou beingaGrandMasteratChessOnlinerelatetothejobyou’re applyingfor?Let’sexplore….

“Thereareseveralreasonsweaskabout yourinterestsoutsideofwork,”explained recruiter,Claire.“Thefirstreasonistobe reassuredthatyouareahumanbeingwith otherinterestsandnotarobot!Secondly, we’realsothinkingabouthowyouwillfitin withourteams;that’snottosaywelookat exactlywhichfootballclubyousupportbut justthatweknowyou’llbeablechatand buildrelationshipswithyourcolleagues.But perhapsmostimportantlyit’sbecauseyour

hobbiesandinterestscantellusalotabout whatmotivatesyouasapersonandwhat yourskillsandstrengthsare.”

Itiseasytounderestimatewhatyour favouritehobbysaysaboutyou,partly becauseit’ssomethingyoudototakeyour mindoffschoolorwork.Wejustdon’ttendto thinkaboutourhobbiesintermsoftheskills theydemonstrate.Butlet’stakeacoupleof examplesandseewhattheysayaboutus.

Howaboutbakingacake?Somepeoplelove bakingbut,forothers,it’snotwhatthey wouldcallfunatall!Partly,that’sbecauseof theskillsitrequires.First,youhavetogather youringredientsandfollowarecipe:that takesaneyefordetailsandtheabilityto followspecificinstructions.Thenyouhave tomixeverythingintherightorderandwait forittobake:patienceandtimemanagement.Finally,areyougoingto decorateit?That’screativity.Finally,to makeacakeandbesurethatit’sgoingto tastegoodenoughtoeattakesadegreeof confidenceandself-belief.We’veidentified atleastsixskillsfromthatonecake,allof whichrelatetoalmosteveryjobyoucan thinkof.

Whataboutmakingavideotoshareon TikTok?Youhavetothinkaboutwhatyour videowillbeabout,probablyhavingthought aboutwhat’strendingandwhatyouliketo watchyourself(audienceawarenessand followingtrends).Then,youneedtodoa littleplanningaboutwheretofilmit,whowill

beinitandwhetheryouneedsound,lightsetc (potentially,that’splanning,teamworkand communicationskills).Finally,you’llmakethe video,perhapsedititabit,andpostitonline (definitelysometech’anddigitalskillsthere). Again,we’veidentifiedanothersixskills,mostof themrelevanttoanyworkplaceandsomeof themespeciallyrelevanttotoday’shightech’ environments.

Wecouldgoon:teamsportsorplayingmusicin abandororchestrademonstrateacommitment toyourteam-matesandwillingnesstolearnand improve.Volunteering(atalmostanything) showsareliabilityandthedesiretodo somethingforyourcommunity.Evenreading (perhapsthelastresortofpeoplewhodon’t thinktheyhaveanyhobbies!)demonstratesyou probablyhaveempathyandimagination.

Employersdon’texpectsomeonegoingfortheir firstjobtobeabletoquoteskillsinthecontext oftheworkplacebuttheydowanttoseeyou givingexamplesofwhatyourskillsand strengthsarefromyourownexperiences.You mightnotbeabletosay“Icreateda spreadsheettoprocessandanalysethefirst quarter’ssalesfigures”butyoucanprobablysay “Icreatedarevisiontimetabletokeepmyselfon trackforcourseworkandexamdeadlines”.It showsyouunderstandtherelevantskillsand thattheywillbeusefulintheworkplace(orfor furtherstudy).

So,wechallengeyou:thinkaboutallthethings youliketodoinyoursparetimeandthinkabout whatstrengthsorskillstheyshowyouhave.If yougetstuck,askafriendorfamilymember; theyoftenseegoodthingsinusthatwedon’t seeinourselves.Webetyou’llbepleasantly surprised!(Don’tforgettokeepanoteof everythingyou’vewrittendownaswillbeuseful foranyfutureapplicationsyoumightmake.)

“

Employersdon’texpect someonegoingfortheir firstjobtobeabletoquote skillsinthecontextof theworkplace.

Whatisa trainingprovider?

Youwouldthinkthattheobviousanswertothatquestion isapersonor organisationwhoprovidestraining.Whilst thatiscertainlytrue,intheworldof apprenticeships,the termtrainingproviderhasaveryspecificmeaningtoo.

Atrainingproviderisan organisationwhoisofficially registeredandapprovedtodeliver ApprenticeshipTraining.All trainingprovidersneedtobelisted ontheRegisterofApprenticeship TrainingProviders(RoATP)andwill haveacontractwiththe Governmentforfundingpurposes. Alltrainingprovidersarealso subjecttoOfSTEDInspections, whichhelpstoensurethequality andtheexperiencefortheir learners.

Trainingprovidersaretypically collegesoffurthereducation, privateorspecialisttraining providersandsomeuniversities. Forexample,BasingstokeCollege ofTechnology(BCoT),HTP ApprenticeshipCollegeandSolent

UniversityallfeatureontheRoATP andregularlydeliverapprenticeships inarangeofareas.

However,someemployersor specialistorganisationsalsochoose tobecomeregisteredsotheycan deliverapprenticeships.Browsingthe listofover2,000trainingproviders currentlyregisteredinEngland,the followingorganisationsalsofeature: HerMajesty’sRevenue&Customs (HMRC),BootstheChemistandthe NationalPharmacyAssociation,to namejustafew.

Ifyouwanttofindoutmore,the Gov.ukwebsitehasuseful informationandifyouwanttofinda TrainingProvider,theRoATPlisting canbefoundonthe Gov.uk website intheApprenticeshipsection.

TheApprentice AmbassadorNetwork

TheApprenticeAmbassadorNetworkisagroupofinspiring,drivenapprentices,both currentandformer,whoarehappytosharetheirexperienceswithothers.Ambassadors canbebookedtocomeintospeakatschools,attendcareersfairsorsupportmock interviewdays,forexample.AllAmbassadorsreceivefreetrainingandarethenableto choosewhicheventsintheirareatheyareabletosupport.Inourexperience,employers areusuallydelightedtosupporttheirApprenticestosignupasanAmbassadorasthey aresuchagreatreflectiononthecompany!TosignupasanApprenticeAmbassadoror ifyouareteacherandyouwouldliketorequestanAmbassador,pleasevisit https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/become-an-ambassador#

Wanttostart business? yourown

Manypeopleconsiderrunning theirownbusinessasthe ultimateexerciseinfreedom. Afterall,beingyourownboss meansyoucalltheshots.Allof them.Youneedtodecidewhat you’lldo,howyou’lldoit,when, how,whathours,where,and howwillyoufundthisfledgling businessandgetitairborne?

Don’tbeintimidated.Thisisabigstepand, likeallmajorlifechanges,you’llprobably havetofightthroughtheuncertainty,people withgoodintentionstellingyouthisissilly, andmaybeevenafewsleeplessnights doubtingyourselftogetupandrunningbut, onceyouare,itwillallbeworthit.

Startwithtime

Youmightnothavethemoneyrightnowto justsetupandgo,butthatdoesn’tmeanyou havetositbackandwaitforfinancestofall intoplacetogetstarted.Sitdownandwrite outaroughplan.

Thismaysoundobviousbutnameyour business.Thiscouldendupbeingdead simple,alotoffun,oramajorheadache. Makesureyouputsomethoughtintoit.It

will,afterall,behowpeopleidentifyyouand makingachangelateroncouldhavesome repercussiononhoweasilyexisting customersfindyouonlineinfuture.

Buildoutyourbrandidentity.Doyouhavea logoinmind?Whatcolourswillyouuse? Whatfont?Youneedtomakesurethat peoplecaneasilyidentifyyourbusinessno matterwhatmaterialtheyarelookingat, printedoronlineorjustdrivingby.Consistent brandingisimportanttoyourbusiness identity.

Beabsolutelyclearonwhatyou’reselling. Testthewatersbysellingtoasmallgroupof familyorfriends,maybedoafewtestruns withsalestofriendsoffriends.Getafeelfor yourcustomerbase.Connectwithpeoplein thesamelineofbusinessorfindsomeone whohassomethingyou’llneedandfindoutif they’reinterestedinaswapofproductsor services.

Thisusuallyworksbestwithanotherbusiness onthesamelevelasyours.Nothingwrong withaiminghighbutyou’llhaveabettershot atgettingsomewherewithsomeonewhoisn’t amulti-billion-poundgiant.

Identifyyourcustomer.Whoareyouselling to?Wherecanyoufindthem?Aretheyon socialmedia?Canyoubeginaconversation

withthemnow?Setupyoursocialmedia accountsandmakesurethenameyouuseis aboutthesameacrossalltheplatforms you’reusing.

Ifyou’replanningonsettingupawebsite, considerwritingafewblogs.Thatwayyou’ll haveshareablecontentreadytogoandyou won’tneedtoworryaboutitduringtheinitial whirlwindofgettingthebusinessgoing.

Writeyourbiography–whoareyou–whatdo youdo–andmoreimportantly,howdoes whatyoudohelpyourpotentialcustomers. Sellthesolutionnottheproblemisstillsolid advice,andifyouknowexactlywhatproblem you’resolving,itwillbemucheasiertobuild yourbrandaroundit.

Moneytalks

Timetogetseriousaboutmoney.Makealist ofallthethingsyouwillneedtospendmoney on.Frompremisestovehiclestoweb domainstostafftostationery,youneedtobe absolutelyclearonyourinitialoutlay.You don’tneedtostartwithexactfigures,butyou doneedtoknowexactlywhatyou’llbe needingmoneyfor,soyoucanbuildthatout later.

Gothroughyourlistandassignprioritiesto eachitem.Whatmustyouabsolutelyhave readytogofromdayone,andwhatcanyou setuplater.

Dosomeresearchandworkouthowmuch everythingwillcost.Setoutabudgetforat leastthenext6monthsandcomeupwitha fewworst-casescenariosandmakesureyou budgetforthem.Thereshouldn’tbeanything leftunaccountedforhere,andyoushould nowhaveaverygoodideaofexactlyhow muchcapitalyou’llneedtogetupand running.

Makeaplan

Gettoworkonyourofficialbusinessplan. Thiswillvarygreatlydependingonthetypeof

business,whereyou’replanningtoget fundingfrom,andvariousotherfactors. Thereareplentyoftemplatesaroundtoget youstarted.

Usethemtogetthethoughtprocessgoing, andthentweakandrefinetomakeityour own.Youneedtohaveaclearvisionofwho youare,whoyourcustomersare,howmuch moneyyou’llneedandforwhat,andwhat yourplanisforyourbusiness.

Writeitdown.Keepitbriefbyfocusingonkey pointsthatwillkeepyourbusinessoncourse, butthorough.Youneedtobeabletodefine yourbusiness,knowwhoyourcompetitors areandhaveabasicmarketingplan. Considereverythingbutdon’tgettoobogged downin100pagesofprobably inconsequentialdetails.

Thesmallprint

Youneedtomakesureyouhavethebasics covered.You’llneedanaccountant,for example.Anditwouldn’thurttogetsome protectioninplaceforthosethingsthatcould tripyouupwhenyouleastexpectit.

Havingtaxinvestigationandlegalprotection takestheweightoffyourshouldersofhaving toworryaboutitwhenyouneedit.FSB membershaveaccesstoa24/7legaladvice line,onlinelegaldocumentsandtaxandlegal protectionaspartoftheirmembership package.Havealookatourfullrangeof benefitstogetanideaofwhatmightcomein handyforyoursmallbusiness.

Gettingstartedisthehardestpart.Thetruth is,ifyouwaituntilyou’re100%readyyoumay neverdoit.Notimelikethepresent.Takea deepbreathandjusttakethefirststep.Soon you’llfindyourmomentumandbewellon yourwaytobeingasmallbusinessowner.

Meetour… Apprentices

Whatis ProjectManagement?

Everyprojectneedsaperson(orateam)tokeepaclosewatch onplans,budgets,people,qualityofoutputsandanythingthat couldcauseaproblem,toensuretheprojectiscompletedontime andonbudget.ThebusinessroleofProjectManagementhas developedfromthisneed.WetalktooneyoungProjectManager tofindouthowshegotwheresheistoday–andwheresheplans togonext!

“Ithinkit’sreallyharshtomakea16-yearolddecideontheircareer,”saidStacey Bishopwho,atjust26yearsold,isoneof theyoungestqualifiedCharteredProject Managersinthecountry.“IwenttoanallgirlsGrammarSchoolandtheemphasis wasonOxfordorCambridgeUniversity applications,preferablytobecomea DoctororaLawyer.Ithoughtaboutdoing AerospaceEngineering,butIreallywasn’t sure.Therecertainlywasn’tmuch

informationaroundaboutanyother optionsatthattime.”

AfterayearofASLevelsatschool,which sherealisedweren’tforher,Stacey switchedtostudyaBTECinMedical ScienceatCollege,totrytokeepher optionsopen.However,afterayearof that,shedecidedthatshereallydidwant togointoEngineering.Staceyhadnever beensureaboutgoingtouniversityfull

time,she’dwatchedhersister’sexperience andjustdidn’tthinkitwouldsuither,sohad lookedaroundforotheropportunities instead.Theideaofgettingpaidwhilst gainingqualificationswasreallyappealingso StaceystartedlookingforanApprenticeship.

“IliveinPlymouth,soDevonportRoyal DockyardandtheMinistryofDefencearebig employerslocally.Ihadn’tintendedtogointo adefence-orientedrole,buttheengineering opportunitieswerefantastic.Iappliedand gotajobasanEngineeringManagement Apprentice.Iwasoneofonlytwofemales outof12inmycohort,butweallgotalong!”

Withdeterminationandhardwork,Stacey completedwhatwasplannedtobeathreeyearApprenticeshipinjustovertwoyears. “Anopportunityforapermanentrolehad comeupwithadefencecontractor,Babcock, asaProjectEngineersoIreallywantedto finishmyApprenticeshipasquicklyas possible,”Staceyexplained.

“IjoinedaProjectManagementteamand spentareallyinterestingyearsupportingthe ProjectManagers,andrealisinghowdiverse andvariedProjectManagementis.Mynew managertoldmeabouttheprofessional qualificationsyoucandoinProject ManagementandsaidthatIcouldapplyfor Babcocktopayformetodothem.Istarted withtheAssociationforProjectManagement ProjectManagementQualification(APMPMQ forshort!).”

Staceywasquicklyreadytotryforanother promotion,thistimeasaSeniorProject Engineer,andtostudyforthenextlevel qualification,theAPMProjectProfessional Qualification(PPQ).Thisputherinagreat positiontotryforherfirstProjectManagerrole, whichcameaboutayearlater.“Iwas responsiblefor3concurrentsubmarine projects;Iwasn’tsurethatIwantedtoworkon subs’specifically,butIfinallyhadthe accountabilityandtheresponsibilityofmyown.”

“IalsochallengedmyselftobecomeaChartered ProjectManager.Ithinkhavingmyprofessional qualificationswereessentialinbeingableto moveup.Iwasusuallymuchyoungerthanthe peopleIwasworkingwith,whowere predominantlymen,soIthinkithelpedto convincethemthatImustknowwhatIwas talkingabout!Itfeltasthoughhavingsome lettersaftermynamehadsometraction,thatI didn’thavetoexplainmyself.”

Staceysaysthatshegetsboredofmonotonous tasksandlikesopportunitiestomovearound andfindnewchallenges.Afterthelockdowns andchangesinworkingpracticesthat2020 brought,Staceyrealisedthattheriseofhybrid workingorworkingfromhomecouldopen moreopportunitiesforher.

“Ihadneverparticularlywantedtogointo Defence,Ihadjustendedupthereaslocal opportunitiescameup.Irealisedthatremote workingcouldbeanopportunityformetolook forajobthatIcouldfeelpassionateaboutbut thatwasn’tnecessarilytiedtoalocation.Isaw theroleatSSERenewables(therenewable energydivisionofScottish&SouthernEnergy)

“ Ihaveestablished somegreatskills thatcantakeme anywhere,andI amalwayskeento exploredifferent industries.

workingonBerwickBankWindfarm,whichhas thepotentialtobethebiggestintheworld.I knewnothingaboutwindfarms,andIwas honestaboutthat,butIwaswillingtolearnand SSEgavemetheopportunity.It’sahugeproject team,thebiggestIeverworkedfor.”

Staceyworkedinthatteamforjustoverayear beforeanotheropportunitywithinSSEcameup. “SSEhavehistoricallybeenaUKandIrelandbasedcompanybuthaverecentlystarted movingintointernationalmarkets,suchas JapanandtheUSA,”Staceyexplained. “Internationalprojectshavealwaysinterested me,thewaydifferentpeopleandcultures interact,soIjumpedatthechance.”

SinceOctober2022,Staceyhasbeenoneofa teamoffiveresponsibleforintegrating everythingrequiredforSSEtomoveintonew markets–andnewcountries.“Myresponsibility istotakeourUK-basedpoliciesandprocedures, andtraining,andmakesuretheywillapplyin thenewcountry’slegislativeandcultural environment.It’salotofreadingand prioritising,Ididn’trealisehowbigachallengeit wouldbewhenIstarted,butI’mon trackandgettingallthesupport thatIneedfromthewider team.”

Whatdoesatypicalday looklikeforStacey?“Of course,thatvaries betweenprojects,but typicallylotsofemails andmonitoringour progressagainstthe plan–talkingtothe peopleintheteam toaskforupdates ontheirtasks.

includingyourown,toensureprojectsare deliveredonbudget.Ispendalotoftimeon hugespreadsheets;wehaveEVM-earned valuemanagementspreadsheets–which areawaytotrackactualeffortspentagainst budgetedeffort–thismethodhelpsforecast outcomesbasedonpreviousperformance.”

Staceyisn’talwaysbasedathome.“I occasionallygettogotoScotland(SSEHQ); it’sgoodtohavetheface-to-faceinteraction butIdon’tthinktherearemanybarriersto workingremotelyanymore,peopleareused toit.Therearealotofcalls,too.Japanis ninehoursaheadoftheUK,sowetendto dothosecallsearlyinthemorning,whereas wewillsetupcallswiththeUSAlaterinthe day.”

WhatskillsdoesStaceythinkasuccessful ProjectManagerrequires?“Softskills–especiallycommunication-arebigbutit’s notlikeyouhavetobornwiththem,youcan learnthem.Publicspeakingforexampleis somethingyoucanlearn.Communicationis essential,activelylistening–especially importantonvirtualcallswhen youneedtoshowyouare activelyengagedwiththecall andensuringyouhave understoodwhatwassaid. Writingandbeingableto writeeffectivereportsis important;different peoplewillwant differentlevelsof detailsoyouwill needtolearnwhat theyneedtoknow. Ofcourse,time managementand prioritiseeffectively managingyour timeaswellas everyoneelse’s. Youcanlearnand

Costand resource managementis vital,youneed tobevery consciousof people’stime

Formoreinformationaboutthe AssociationforProjectManagement(APM), visittheirwebsite, www.apm.org.uk,or followthemonsocialmedia:

Facebook:@APMProjectMgmt Instagram:apmprojectmgmt

TikTok:@apmprojectmanagement YouTube:@APMProjectMgmt

Ifyou’reastudentorapprenticeaged16or over,youcanbecomeastudentmemberof APMforfree!

Whatdoesitmean tobe Chartered?

You’veprobablyheardofjobtitleslikeCharteredAccountantorChartered Surveyor,butwhatdoes‘chartered’actuallymean?Manyprofessions usethetermsoweexploresomeofthemandwhatitcantellusabout theindividualandtheircareer.

TobeaCharteredprofessional,inanyareaof work,meansyouareamemberofa professionalbodyrelevanttoyourindustry.In orderforthatprofessionalbodytoaward ‘Chartered’statustoitsmembers,thatbody willhavetoholdaRoyalCharterfromthe Britishmonarch.Hereareafewexamplesof professionalbodies:theCharteredInsurance Institute(CII),receivedtheircharterin1912; theAssociationofCharteredCertified Accountants(ACCA),charteredin1974andthe CharteredInstituteofMarketing(CIM),who receivedtheirRoyalcharterin1989.

InordertobecomeaCharteredmember, professionalbodieswillinsistonanumberof criteriabeingmet.Theindividualmusthave reachedaspecificlevelofskill,competenceor experienceintheirrole.Thiscanbe demonstratedthroughtheirworkexperience butwillalsousuallyincludemeetinga particularqualificationlevel.Many professionalbodieslookforpost-graduate qualificationsand/orcompletionoftheirown industryqualifications.

ACharteredmembermustalsoagreeto upholdthestandardsandreputationofthe professionalbody.Itisnotunusualforbodies tohaveacodeofpracticethatapplicantsmust committobeforetheywillbeapprovedas Chartered,whichoftensetsoutthestandards

andbestpractice.Aprofessionalbodywould bewithinitsrightstocancelthemembership ofanindividualfoundtobeignoringthese standardsandjeopardisingthereputationof theirprofession.

Charteredstatuswillusuallyalsobringwithita requirementtodoCPD–continuingprofessional development.CPDiswhatitsaysitis:thatyou willcontinuetodevelopyourprofessionalskills, tokeepupwithtechnologiesanddeveloping ideasrelatedtoyourindustry.Mostbodieshave asetnumberofCPDhoursmembersmustmeet eachyearinordertoremainChartered.Wehave talkedaboutthisinapreviousarticleifyouwant toreadmoreaboutCPD.

Inotherwords,beingaCharteredprofessional indicatesthatyouhavereachedacertainlevel ofexperienceandqualificationthatis recognisedbyyourfellowprofessionals,that youcommittomaintainingthereputationof yourindustryandthatyouregularlykeepup-todatewithdevelopmentsinyourfield.

ItisworthnotingthatanumberofChartered professionalsexistoutsideofregulated professions.Regulatedprofessionsarethose whereitisdefinedinlawwhocanworkinthem. TheseincludeDoctors,DentistsandArchitects, alljobswherewewouldn’twantjustanyone callingthemselvesqualified.

Keydatesandmore

Acareerin financial advice

ConnorDaltonhasbeenworkinginfinancial advicesince2013,having‘falleninto’therole afteruniversity.Hetellsusaboutwhyithas becomeajobhefeelsverypassionately aboutandshareshisjourneysofarto becomingaCharteredFinancialAdvisor.

Likealotofpeople,Ididn’treallyknow whatIwantedtodowhenIgrewup.I certainlydidn’tknowthatbeingaFinancial Advisorwasevenajob,so,atGCSEand thenALevel,IpickedsubjectsthatIthought Iwouldenjoy.ForALevel,thatwas Economics,Accounting,EnglishLanguage andPE.IthoughtIwouldreallylikePE–I gotanA*atGCSEandIlovesport–but therewasmorebiologyinthesubjectat collegeandsoIdidn’tdoquitesowell.In mysecondyear,IfocussedonEconomics andaddedaone-yearMathsALevel.

Lookingback,I’mnotreallysurewhyI choseEconomics;Ithinkafrienddid,soI joinedhim.Luckily,wehadareallygood tutorandhetaughtusalot.Asachild,I rememberbeinginterestedandabitscared abouttheideathatthevalueofstocksand

sharescouldgoupanddown.ButatA Level,theprincipleofinvestingincapitalso youcanearnmoreinfuturereallystuck withme.

Iwasatcollegefrom2008to2010during thefinancialcrisisandjobsweren’tthat available,sothedecisiontogotouniversity waspartlybecauseofthat.Igotinto BrightonthroughClearingtodoEconomics andFinance.Brightonwasagreatplaceto live;it’snotacampusuniversitysoIwas livinginthetown.Iwentstraightintoa housesharewithsomeotherpeople. Fortunately,wewereallfairlysensibleand wewouldsharetheshoppingandthe cookingbetweenus.Itworkedwell.

BecauseIstilldidn’tknowwhatIwantedto doafteruniversity,Idon’tthinkIhadthe

drivetodoaswellasIperhapsshouldhave done.Adegreeisabouteffort;youcanget sofarbeingnaturallybright,butyouare rewardedifyouputintheextraeffort.IfI hadappliedmyself,IthinkIcouldhave doneevenbetter.Mydegreewasathreeyearcoursebuttherewastheoptiontodo ayearoutinindustryifwewanted.Because Ididn’tknowwhatIwantedtodo,noneof thejoboptionsavailablereallygrabbedme soIdidn’ttakethatupbutlookingbackI shouldhavetakentheopportunity.

Bysummer2013,Ihadgotmydegreebutstill hadnoideawhatIwantedtodo!Atfirst,I carriedonworkingsomehoursatSainsburys, justtobringinsomemoney.Iwasapplyingto officejobsandgraduateschemesthat soundedinteresting,eitherbecausetheywere localortheywererelevanttomydegree. Graduateschemesarereallyhardtogetinto assomanypeopleapply,andtherecanbe fiveorsixstagestotherecruitmentprocess. Again,IthinknotknowingwhatIwantedtodo meantIdidn’thavethepurposetodowellin interviews.Interviewersalwayswanttoknow alotaboutyoubutIdidn’tknowwhat questionstoaskthem.Howdoyoureally knowwhattoaskunlessyoudothejob?I evenwenttoaninterviewatMI5inLondon, whichwasthetoughestinterviewofall!

AfinancialservicescompanycalledOld Mutualinvitedmeforaninterviewforan introductoryroleinfinancialplanningandI wasofferedthejob.Thesalaryintermsof mytakehomepaywasn’tgreatbutit includedthingslikelifeinsurance,income protection,medicalinsurance,etc.,sothe overallpackagewasworthmuchmorethan justmysalary.

Intheoffice,Iwouldhearpeopleonthe phonetalkingtoFAs.Irealiseditwasn’tthe FootballAssociationsowhowasit?Thiswas whenIstartedtounderstandtheroleof FinancialAdvisorsandwasgiventheoption totakeprofessionalqualificationsmyself.I wouldrecommendanyonetotakeany trainingthatisofferedtothem!Istarted withtheFinancialAdvisorLevel3course, whichstartedmeonmyprofessional training.

TobecomeaFinancialAdvisorinmyown right,IthenneededtocompletetheLevel4 qualification.Idecidedtochoosethe CertifiedInsuranceInstituteasthe professionalbodytogainmyqualification whichconsistedofsixexamsintotaland coversmoreareas.Lotsofthepreparation wasself-studybutmyemployergaveme timeduringtheweek.Thatwasprobablythe hardestpart,makingtimetostudyinyour owntimesometimesaswellasdoingyour dayjob–reallyhardwhenyouknowthat yourmatesareoffplayingfootball!Thefinal examfeltparticularlyrelevanttothejob. Yougetacasestudydetailingaperson’s financialsituationandthenthequestions arebasedaroundhowyouwouldadvise them.

Whilstdoingtheseexams,Ihadchanged jobsacoupleoftimes,workinginacouple ofsmallercompanieswhospecialisedin differentareastohelpmegainawider experience.Ihadmyfirstinterviewfora FinancialPlannerroleinApril2019with HampshireFinancialPlanning,partofSt JamesPlaceGroup.ItwaswhatIhad

“

Iwould recommend anyonetotake anytrainingthatis offeredtothem!”

wantedtodoforyearsbythenandIwasso pleasedwhenIwasofferedthejob.

Theyputmeonaninternaltrainingscheme designedforpeoplelikemewhohadindustry experiencebutnottheclientcontact.Oncea month,IwouldspendaweekinBristolonformal learningandthenIwouldspendthreeweeks shadowingotherFAssoIcouldseethemin practice.Ihadtheadvantageofalreadyhavingall myLevel4qualificationssoIwasableto‘fasttrack’ whatshouldhavebeenayear’scourse.Iwasthen abletobesignedoffasacompetentFinancial Advisor,followingobservationsandsubmittingmy workandexamresultstoaqualifiedpersonto checkmyadvice.

IwouldurgepeopletoconsiderFinancialAdviceas acareer.Ifyoudon’twanttositinanofficeallday, ifyou’regenuinelyinterestedinpeopleandwhat theywanttoachieve,itcanbereallyrewarding.It’s quitewellpaidtoo!It’snotalwayseasy,ofcourse, andtherewillbesomebitsthatyoujusthaveto getthroughtoachieveyourgoalsbutit’sdefinitely worthit.I’mnowself-employedworkingwithSt JamesPlacesothatgivesmefreedomperhapsto takeclientsouttodinnerorforaroundofgolf.It givesmeagoodwork/lifebalanceaslongasIdo puttheeffortin.It’safunjob,actually,anditgives youagoodfeelingwhenyoucanseethatyouhave madeadifferencetosomeone’slife.Perhapsyour advicehasenabledthemtoretireearlyorhelp theirchildrenontothepropertyladder;itfeels goodtohelpthemachievethat.

ThefinancialadviceIwouldgivetopeoplewhen theygettheirfirstjobisput10%ofyoursalary eachmonthintoasavingsaccounttobuildupabit ofa‘buffer’.Keepatleastthreemonths’worthasa contingencyfundandthenstartlookingtoinvest therest.

www.hampshirefinancialplanning.co.uk

Soyouthink youknowconstruction?

InapreviousissueofMaketheFutureYours!,welookedat Decarbonisationandthechallengethatfacesallofusin ensuringthefutureofourplanet.Wetakeacloserlookathow theconstructionindustryisstartingtoembracethischallenge, andwhatourhomesofthefutureneedtobe.

“Ourhomesarethemostimportantpieceof architectureinourlives,”saysMark Southgate,CEOoftheMinistryofBuilding Innovation&Education(MOBIE).“Awelldesignedhomecanpromoteourwellbeing,a poorlydesignonetheopposite.”

AndMarkshouldknow,hehasspenthis careerworkinginrolesthatinfluenceboth ournaturalandbuiltenvironments.

“Highstandardsofhomedesignandhigh qualityhome-buildingshouldbethenorm. Thisincludeszerocarbontocombatclimate changeandaddressfuelpoverty;secure homesandneighbourhoodsthatpromote mentalandphysicalhealth;andadaptable homesthatfacilitatehealthyageing.”

MarkpointsoutthattheUKisalongway fromthatrightnow.Thewaywebuildhouses hashardlychangedin100years.Whereother manufacturingsectorshaveundergone revolutions,muchofourhousing‘technology’ isover100yearsold.Itisincrediblethatfor oneofourmostexpensivepurchasesand

monthlyoutgoings,timehaslargely stoodstill.

TheUKfacesthreeparticularchallenges whenitcomestoourhomes:

•Wearenotbuildingenoughhouses:we areinahousingcrisis.Thegovernmentis committedtobuilding300,000housesper yearbythemid-2020s,buteveninourbest years,weonlymanagetobuildalittlemore 200,000.Wemustsignificantlyincreasethe numberthatwebuild.

• Thequalityofhousesisinadequate:that’s qualityintermsofdesign,constructionand performance.Housebuildingremains rootedintraditionbutwemusttransform howwebuild,learningfromthebest manufacturingindustrieshereandfrom abroad.

•Thereisahomebuildinglabourshortage: wehaveanenormouslackofnewtalent comingintothehousebuildingand constructionindustries.

Recentreviewspredictthattheindustry’s workforcewilldeclineby20-25%inadecade,and that32%oftheUKconstructionsectorworkforce isaged50orover,withonly10%undertheageof 25.Wemustbringinnewtalentifwearetobuild thehomesweneedanddeserve.

ModernMethodsofConstructionare partofthesolution,butsoisastronger customerfocus,andacultureofcontinuous improvement.Weshoulddemandhousesthat arecheapertorun,bettertolivein,adaptable, lastforlongerandreduceourenvironmental footprint.

Inthe21stcentury,weshouldbebuilding homesinverydifferentandmuchbetterways thanwehavedoneinthepast.Withincredible developmentsindigitaltechnology,theamazing researchanddevelopmentthatgoesintothe performanceofindividualbuildingproducts andhigherstandardsofbuildingpractice,we haveanopportunitytoradicallytransformour product.Learningfromotherindustrieswecan transformhousebuildingintoaclean,precisionengineeredandefficientproductandprocess.

“Oneofthesenewmethodscouldbe factory-builthouses,forexample”Mark explains.Asmorehomebuildingfactories arebuilt(andtherearesomealready)the numberofmanufacturedhomesincreases, andthemanufacturingcostofeachhome willreduce.Factory-builthomesgiveusan incredibleopportunitytoembracethedigital andclean-techmanufacturingagemaking homebuildingmoreefficient,moreprofessional andpotentiallyamoreappealingindustryto workin.Ithastheopportunitytorevolutionise thewayweorder,buy,design,make,live-inand maintain21stcenturyhomes.Prefabrication couldbethehomebuildingrevolutionour industryneedstochange.Weneedtoinspire thenextgenerationtowanttobepartofit.

Weneedtobebuildingbeautiful,smart, zerocarbonhomesandretrofittingour27 millionexistinghomestoreducetheir carbonfootprintanditisonlybyengaging withyoungpeoplethatwewillhaveany chanceofdoingit.Itwilltaketheverybest indesigntalent–designingamazingdigital software,designinginnovativesupply chains,designingefficientmanufacturing processesanddesigningnewsystemsand financialmodelsaswellasdesigning homes.

MarkandhiscolleaguesatMOBIEbelieve that,byworkingtogetherasanindustry,we canshowhowrewardingandexcitinga careerinhomedesign,manufacturingand constructioncanbe.

“Thereareincredibleopportunitiesfor youngpeopletocreateanewbuilt environmentthatisgreen,affordable, promoteshealthandwell-beingandbuilds homesthatareamazingspacestolivein,” Marksays.

More than just glasses

You’ll know us for one thing but we’re so much more. Find out just how many opportunities we have for an amazing and rewarding career.

Discover a new career in the great outdoors!

Are you creative, practical, have an eye for detail, interested in the environment and want to work outdoors? Then landscaping could be the career for you.

There are lots of roles in landscaping...

Creatively solving problems in green spaces, designing plans that will improve or create new gardens? This is landscape design.

Looking for something hands-on and physical? Want to be involved in planning and building landscapes using a range of structural materials to turn design into reality? This is hard landscaping.

Can you see yourself choosing and planting a wide range of plants to transform green spaces, adding texture, colour, and scent? This is soft landscaping.

Making sure green spaces are looking their best, that they are safe, clean, and attractive to those using and visiting them? This is landscape maintenance.

To find out how to have a career in the great outdoors, visit www.golandscape.co.uk