Businessplus Spring 2016 | Page 24

A NEW CHALLENGE FOR CHLOE, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING “I’m enjoying this new experience and learning new things every day.” Chloe Holdsworth is an Assistant Branch Manager at the head office of the Leeds Building Society. She is currently on a 12 month secondment with the Leeds University Technical College (UTC). Read about how Chloe is enhancing her skills. ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR NEW SKILLS YOU HOPE TO GAIN? HOW DID THE SECONDMENT COME ABOUT? I am enjoying everything that I have been involved in, which includes events planning, recruiting the students, understanding the running of a school and processes which have to be put in place for a new school to open. I was looking to further my career at Leeds Building Society. Having worked in the Branch Network for 5 years, I wanted to challenge myself and have a look at other career paths. When browsing on the internal career site, I noticed the UTC Leeds secondment and thought it would be a fabulous opportunity for me to look at other aspects of the business for example, marketing, HR and recruitment. WHAT HAS THE EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE SO FAR? I cannot express how much I am enjoying this new experience; I am learning new things every day and I have been involved in many aspects of a business I wouldn’t have had exposure to before. I’d like to gain wider knowledge of business and develop my understanding of what other departments do. WHAT ASPECTS ARE YOU ENJOYING? ARE ANY ASPECTS PROVING TO BE A CHALLENGE? At the beginning of my secondment, recruiting students was a big challenge, but after the help of the local authority’s letter to schools in November, we are well on our way to achieving full capacity for Year 1. WHEN THE SECONDMENT FINISHES, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? Ultimately, become a branch manager. In the longer term, develop my project management skills further, perhaps with a project management qualification. HELP, FUNDING & SIGNPOSTING Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Apprenticeship grants, skills service, overcoming gaps and shortages T: 0113 348 1818 E: [email protected] Skills Funding Agency Fund skills training for further education in England T: 0345 377 5000 E: [email protected] Apprenticeship Hub (Leeds City Region) All things related to taking on an apprentice W: www.apprenticeship-hubs.co.uk T: 0113 348 1818 E: [email protected] Leeds University Technical College Advanced manufacturing and engineering W: http://utcleeds.com T: 0113 361 1549 E: [email protected] School of Management/Knowledge Transfer Networks For business executives wanting to achieve growth W: http://chmbr.co/som T: 01274 234393 E: [email protected] University of York Business skills training with discounts for members W: http://chmbr.co/uniofyork T: 01904 43 5213 E: [email protected] Leeds Beckett University Leadership and management development or creative technologies with discounts for members W: http://chmbr.co/nti W: http://chmbr.co/lmc T: 0113 812 1904 E: [email protected] Chamber International Export and international documentation training W: www.chamber-international.com T:0845 034 7200 E: [email protected] Virtual College Online courses, discounted for members W: online-training.wnychamber.co.uk T: 08455 240 240 E: [email protected] 24 SKILLS FEATURE 25