Tag Archives: career

Beauty, Business, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Education, Employee Motivation, Hair and Beauty, Job Opportunities, Jobs

Cardiff teen lands her dream job through Jobs Growth Wales+

A 17-year-old apprentice from Cardiff is flying to Budapest after support from the Welsh Government’s Jobs Growth Wales+ programme to land her dream role as a Hairdresser.

Darla Wathen recently completed her Level 1 NVQ qualification in Hairdressing and is currently working at Henderson & Co. as a Junior Stylist.

When discussing her route to employment, Darla said: “I wasn’t very academic at school, but I’ve always been a creative person. I decided to meet with Working Wales to scope out my options and Jobs Growth Wales+ appealed to me because of the work placements and hands-on training that were incorporated into your learning.

“Back then I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future, so I attended a few taster days to explore different career pathways. The courses on offer varied from childcare to beauty to construction and animal care, but it was hairdressing that I discovered I had a passion for.”

Having found her feet, Darla excelled on the programme and quickly proved to her tutors that she was a talented and dedicated learner.

Darla said: “My tutor, Charlotte, played a huge role in how comfortable and at ease I felt on Jobs Growth Wales+. I was nervous when I first started the programme, but she spent a lot of time helping me build on my essential skills before looking for employment.

“As well as working with me to improve my CV, Charlotte would act out interview scenarios with me to get me used to a real-life environment. This massively helped with my confidence and was a huge turning point for me.

“My Jobs Growth Wales+ tutors saw my potential. Everyone treated me like an adult, and I could tell the programme wanted me to succeed.”

With the support she received, Darla soon secured her job at Henderson & Co. in Cardiff and is currently thriving as a Junior Stylist.

Darla continued: “Working at Henderson & Co. has been amazing. I really appreciate the advice the other stylists give me, and I’ve already learnt so much in such a short space of time. When I’m not with clients, I’m either on reception, tidying or doing stock take – I love going to work because no day is the same!”

“I’m really keen to specialise in colour and I’ve been lucky enough to practice different techniques – from block colour, balayage, foils and highlights. I even dyed a customer’s hair red the other day.”

This year, Darla will be flying to Budapest with Henderson & Co. to attend a fashion show workshop.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be going with the team to a Kevin Murphy fashion show. It’s another new adventure and an opportunity for me to be taught by the very best influencers and experts in the industry.”

Darla has also got her sights set on gaining more work experience in Australia before returning to Wales to set up her own salon.

Darla said: “I’m hoping to progress with Henderson & Co, and maybe in a few years even live and work in Australia to learn new techniques again. At the moment I’m taking every day as it comes but it would be amazing to set up my own salon eventually.

“My one piece of advice for people who don’t know what they want to do when they’re at school is to talk to others about your options. I felt incredibly listened to and was lucky enough to find a career because of the training and funding provided through Jobs Growth Wales+.”

To learn more about Jobs Growth Wales+ visit workingwales.gov.wales/jobs-growth-wales-plus or call Working Wales on 0800 028 4844.

Accountancy & Accounts, Appointments, News

Dealmaker Max Perry gains promotion at HURST

A dealmaker at independent accounting and business advisory firm HURST has been promoted to associate partner.

Max Perry joins the HURST board as a result of his promotion from associate director.

He has completed a range of transactions involving UK and overseas trade buyers and private equity buyers since joining HURST’s corporate finance team in December 2021 after roles at Deloitte and corporate finance boutique Camlee Group

His deal highlights at HURST include advising the shareholders of Huddersfield-based PCS Asbestos Consultants on the company’s sale to AIM-listed Marlowe, acting for the shareholders of financial advisory firm Financial Management Bureau on the sale of the Cumbria-based business to Finitor Wealth, and advising north west IT and telecoms solutions provider Active on its sale to technology company Babble.

Max is among a group of HURST’s rising stars who are taking part in a bespoke two-year leadership development programme.

HURST is the first accountancy firm headquartered in the north to launch a Vistage Inside programme for future leaders. Vistage, with 45,000 members worldwide, is a global leader in personal development and advisory groups for CEOs, key executives and leadership teams.

Nigel Barratt, partner and head of HURST’s corporate finance team, said: “Max has played a leading role in growing our business by successfully completing transactions with UK and international trade buyers and private equity buyers.

“He is currently working on a number of transactions, has brought new clients to the firm and has built strong relationships with existing ones. He’s passionate about developing team members and actively supports and mentors his colleagues.

“His promotion is well-deserved and we look forward to seeing Max continue to flourish as our corporate finance practice expands further.”

Max said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at HURST so far and I’m especially grateful to Nigel, corporate finance partner Ben Bradley and Mike Jackson, the head of our business services team, for their guidance to date.

“I’m absolutely delighted to receive this promotion and to have been invited to join the board. The firm is so full of talented individuals, and the future is incredibly exciting. It’s an honour to be asked to play my part in it.”

HURST focuses on advising entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses with turnover of £10m and above across all sectors. Clients include Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Arighi Bianchi, Scapa Group and Hyde Group.

The firm will move its head office to a new flagship development in Stockport later this month to accommodate its growing team. HURST is taking 11,000sq ft at 3 Stockport Exchange, the latest phase of a £145m project by Muse Developments and Stockport Council.

It has been based since 1998 in Tiviot Dale in Stockport town centre, but has outgrown those premises. The new HQ will give the firm scope to expand from 120 staff to around 170, which it aims to achieve over the next three years.

Awards, News

Bright Horizons completes a hat-trick of 2022 UK’s Best Workplaces™ accolades

The 2022 UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women list was launched this week by Great Place to Work® UK, recognising Bright Horizons among 263 ranked organisations.

It is another fabulous honour for Bright Horizons, which sees the company now appearing in three 2022 Great Place to Work® UK lists. Bright Horizons has featured as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women since this list first started in 2018. Earlier this year, Bright Horizons was also named in the first-ever UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Wellbeing and this was swiftly followed by its 17th year in a row appearance on the UK’s Best Workplaces (Super Large category) list.

What this latest recognition confirms about Bright Horizons:

  • Bright Horizons is a great workplace FOR ALL, including women.
  • Bright Horizons is an organisation where people trust each other and employees are able to reach their full human potential, no matter who they are or what they do.
  • Bright Horizons supports the different identities women hold and ensure their daily experiences are positively and consistently experienced.
  • Bright Horizons recognises that women are a valuable talent pool and strive for fair representation of women in the workforce and throughout management.

Bright Horizons is committed to putting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the heart of its organisation so that the entire Bright Horizons family is open to, and inclusive of, everyone. The expectation exists at Bright Horizons that all colleagues will treat each other with respect by listening to different viewpoints, opinions, thoughts and ideas and embracing a culture of inclusion.

Ros Marshall, Managing Director UK at Bright Horizons, said: “It is a wonderful honour to be recognised again in this prestigious list. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives and identities of every individual in our diverse family. Together, we strive to ensure our work and early years environments are welcoming, inclusive and equitable. Our company is shaped by our HEART values, Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork. We are proud that they remain our guiding principles and help to create our working environment and a culture that is fair for all.”

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK, explains: “Now in its fifth year, our 2022 list showcases the largest collection of Best WorkplacesTM for Women that the UK has ever recognised. These results are based on what women themselves have anonymously reported to us about their workplace experience and how well represented they are in the workforce and management. Ensuring people aren’t discriminated against, placing positive value on our differences, creating fair access and advancement for all, and fostering a sense of value and empowerment in employees is what being a Great Place to Work® is all about. Only by first identifying the gaps in workers’ experiences can organisations truly take action to close them, which is why analysing employee experience is important. We are proud that the data and insights we provide organisations helps on that continuous journey – and it’s wonderful to celebrate so many Best Workplaces™ for Women this year, across all sectors and organisational sizes.”

This latest achievement marks a remarkable few months for Bright Horizons in terms of plaudits. In addition to making the grade on the 2022 Great Place to Work® UK lists, Bright Horizons and its colleagues have received some fabulous accolades:

  • Danielle Hamer (Regional Director) and Jodi Roth (Nursery Manager) were both recently included in Business Women in Education’s inaugural Women to Watch list
  • HR Business Partnering Team shortlisted for a CIPD team of the year award
  • Finalists in three Nursery World Award categories:
    • Outstanding Contribution: Carole Henderson, Professional Development Partnership Manager
    • Health and Wellbeing: Introduction of Bright Beginnings curriculum
    • Business Development: Back-Up Care service at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
  • Marketing team has recently won two golds and a silver for its advertising campaigns:
    • Gold at The Drum Awards for Search 2022 in the Most Effective Use of Data or Insights category
    • Gold at the UK Digital Growth Awards 2022 in the Integrated Search Campaign of the Year category
    • Silver at the UK Paid Media Awards 2022 in the Best Integrated Paid Media Campaign category.

Ros Marshall, Managing Director UK at Bright Horizons, continued: “Our hard-working colleagues all deserve this recent recognition. In our view early years education and nursery provision, which addresses the trilemma of quality, availability and affordability must be at the centre of any government policy for social mobility and economic growth. We are privileged to have data and insights from surveys with our own nursery parents, as well as a wider working parent community through our Work and Family Services. Their feedback helps us to understand what is important for families regarding their children’s care and education. We share this information in government consultations and with our clients to help them develop their own understanding and strategy to support families at work.

“We are committed to ensuring that skilled and well-supported practitioners are key to the quality of our early years services. We continually review and adapt our rewards and benefits for our colleagues and remain immensely proud of our industry-leading training and development, which provides our colleagues with a rewarding career path.”

More information about inspiring careers in Early Years can be found via the Bright Horizons website.

Awards, News

SentinelOne global culture named to leading workplaces lists

Innovative, global culture awarded for employee engagement, trust, and integrity

SentinelOne, an autonomous cybersecurity platform company, has announced that the company has been recognised for its best-in-class global workplace culture, highlighting its commitment to maintaining a winning culture that’s rewarding and values-driven.

“As we work together to make the world a safer place, we are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive culture for our employees,” said Divya Ghatak, Chief People Officer, SentinelOne. “With flexible work schedules, unlimited time off and 16 weeks of paid parental leave to all parents, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, we are redefining what it means to enable employees to do their life’s best work.”

SentinelOne was named to Inc. Magazine’s 2022 Best Workplaces List, San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2022 Bay Area Best Places to Work list, Great Place to Work’s UK’s Best Workplaces 2022 list, and Great Place to Work’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing 2022 list.

  • Magazine’s 2022 Best Workplaces List features American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture. Honourees took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture.
  • The 2022 Bay Area Best Places to Work ​​presented by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal highlights Bay area companies that have created exceptional workplaces that their employees value highly. Honourees rated highest on values including fun, collaborative culture, solid compensation and benefits offerings.
  • The UK’s Best Workplaces 2022 by Great Place to Work was determined through rigorous evaluations of hundreds of employee survey responses alongside Culture Audit™ submissions from leaders at each company. Great Place to Work then used these data insights to benchmark the effectiveness of companies’ employee value propositions against the culture their employees actually experience.
  • The UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing 2022 by Great Place to Work rewarded companies praised for people’s holistic experiences of wellbeing at work. The list was determined based on a survey asking employees to comment on how their company supports their work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, psychological safety and financial security.
News

Five top tips to make the jump into a coding career

The art of coding is reported to enhance productivity and communication within businesses, therefore, it is fast becoming a sought-after skill by employers1.As the tech industry continues its exponential growth and becomes an integral part of every business, where’s the best place to start for a career in coding?

Online smartphone retailer, e2save, enlisted the help of developers in a range of roles, to share advice for those looking to break into a career in coding.

Don’t worry about which language you learn at first

Learning code is just like learning a new language and takes patience and hard work. Luke Davis, founder of Pandog Media, advises simply picking a language you enjoy: “Whatever language you choose to learn, take it at your own pace. I started coding in Python last October and I had moments where I saw other people doing these really cool projects and I felt like I was way behind and never going to get there. I skipped steps and tried to reach them without knowing the syntax and I got lost in it all. So I stepped back, focused on the course I was following and got back on track.”

Get some practical experience

When it comes to using code in practice, whilst theory and courses are a great option, learning with practical and relevant tasks are often most effective. Gulliver Whaite, Logistics Manager at Huel, advises: “I had an issue and an end result I wanted, so I just had to work out how to reach it step by step. I spent time Googling each line of code until eventually, I had a script that did what I wanted – and I was motivated because it would save me time.

“So find something you want to achieve, then work on that and only that. The rest follows much easier once you’ve started, and starting is much easier if you’re motivated.”

Use all the tools at your disposal

There are plenty of methods to help you start your coding journey nowadays, often with different options to suit different learning styles. Incorporating your learning into everyday life can be an extremely effective learning tool, which can be achieved with various coding apps on the market. Platforms like SoloLearn, for example, provide thousands of lessons in coding available across multiple devices, so you can easily learn on-the-go, or dedicate more time to lessons at home.

Other platforms, such as Udemy, often run free trials or offers on courses such as “Automate the Boring Stuff”, which can be a fantastic resource for people who are looking to automate daily tasks and save time.

Find a community

Kimberley Cook is a director at codebar, which runs global coding workshops for underrepresented groups, her advice is to find like-minded people to help: “Learning a new skill is hard, regardless of what it is. Find a community, such as codebar, so you can regularly get together and chat with people who are also learning. You’ll be able to support and guide each other whilst also learning new skills from on another at the same time.

“Find a mentor who is experienced in the area you want to work in and ask to catch up with them regularly. They’ll also be able to give you advice and support along your journey.”

Remember there’s no right way to learn

It can be easy to get caught up in what others are doing or recommending, but the most important thing is to take it at your own pace and remember there’s no right or wrong way to learn to code, Luke says: “You can use online courses, YouTube videos, books – just choose anything that makes it easier for you to understand the language.”

Kimberley adds: “Don’t feel pressured to do a bootcamp, there are so many resources out there to try. My method is likely slower than getting a teacher or an app, but the things I learnt are much more relevant and entrenched in my brain. When it comes to language, Python can be great for beginners, but ultimately just pick something you enjoy and go with it.”

Karl Middleton, mobile expert at e2save, commented: “Whether it’s for a new career or simply just a hobby, learning to code can provide you with plenty of valuable skills you can transfer into your day-to-day life. All of the tech we use in modern life is powered by some form of code, so beginning to understand this can unlock all kinds of new and exciting opportunities and experiences

“By no means is coding the easiest thing to learn, but it’s certainly not impossible. There are so many apps, platforms and groups that exist now to help everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals.”

To find out more about the best apps to help you learn something new, visit: https://www.e2save.com/community/top-apps-to-help-you-learn-something-new/