What’s the verdict after the first week on site?…………….

As usual on Growing Talent, I ring round all Associates on the Sunday at the end of the first week on site to see how things are going.

First up was Helen working with the reception team at Regent’s Wembley College.  ‘It’s different, but I really like it’.  With just an hour door to door – including walks/changes between stations, Helen said the journey is easy once you get used to it.

Helen’s team comprises Lorraine – ‘she knows everything about operations and has been here the longest at 4 years’ said Helen, Elma who is covering Roxy’s maternity cover has been here a little over 6 weeks, Kassim, who does the late shift and Shaun the Caretaker.  By taking a leap of faith in applying to Growing Talent and then accepting a role away from her comfort zone of corporate switchboard, Helen could well have found her new career niche!

Next, I spoke with Alex who works with the Portico Team on their PwC account at both More London and Embankment Place.

Alex is learning all the process for all floors in both PwC Embankment Place and More London along with Kam. ‘There’s a lot to learn but it’s really good and I definitely made the right choice in accepting Portico’s offer!’ – Alex’s view after week one.  This is a great complement to Portico as Alex had multiple offers from employers!

Kam’s view of the week? ‘It’s going fine’!  A man of few words………

Looking every inch the professionals  – Kam & Alex below in their Portico uniforms…..

Along with Alex, Kam also underwent initial critical training with Rehana who joined Portico at the end of her journey with Growing Talent 7 – see below!  Rehana has trained multiple Growing Talent Associates over the years and is a great role model for those following her……… She also gave design ideas for the Growing Talent poster campaign in Job Centre Plus offices earlier this year!

Who else will Alex & Kam meet on their journey ahead from previous Growing Talent programmes? – check back to find out……..  Meanwhile, I caught up with Tom on his train journey back from Southampton…..

‘My 1st week has been really good. I’ve started an editing project which I’ve almost finished.  There are more projects ahead.  I’m getting to the office every morning 7.45am-8am and really enjoying the days even though they are long’…. Luckily, Tom has discovered a park near to Regent’s offices in Harrow-on-the-Hill so he can recharge his batteries each lunchtime!

I’d caught up with Mo whose role is slightly different in that it isn’t static.  As part of the Elite team with Acuity Services, he is rotating around all their client sites learning the processes and teams for each. He’s hoping to secure more responsibility to support Acuity over the coming weeks.

Lastly I caught up with Leo who had recovered from his sickness on Friday – an unfortunate thing to happen during the first week on site.  Key is not to let little hurdles trip us up and prevent us gaining the end goal – a sort of suck it up and move on for when things don’t go as planned!…….

Leo’s on site each morning at 7.30am with Scotscape ‘I’ve not been late Jane!’ – impressive.  Leo is finding the role different to what he’s done previously – but he’s up for a challenge!

We respect those who wish not to be photographed, therefore, we have no photo of AJ to share.  He feels everything is going great so far working with Amrik at Regent Group’s Rayners Park office.

Why not check back to see how the guys are progressing…………