Appointed to design, develop and implement a robust Talent Management and Learning & Development strategy to ensure a nucleus of dedicated highly skilled professionals, focussed on achieving a commercial advantage while making an impact on UK Manufacturing.Following review, recommended and implemented the full Recruitment Process Outsourcing for our Graduate and “Year in Industry” Undergraduate programmes within, seven weeks of Executive approval thereby achieving significant improvements in key metrics. Liaising with all stakeholders to clarify MTC requirements in order to develop and implement an agile performance management approach and increase leadership capability.

Invited, following recommendation, to lead and develop the Government Apprenticeship Levy into the United Kingdom Existing Employee workstream to enable GSK to fully leverage the annual multimillion-pound Apprenticeship Levy fund. This was an initial 1year contract.This new Government initiative challenged my project management skills and following the preparation and Executive approval of GSK’s Learning strategy, I recruited/formed a dedicated Levy team to implement this approach.The focus included the development of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure Document mapping out all the necessary work-streams from payment to reimbursement of Levy funds. Developed a suite of metrics to ensure accountability/visibility of Levy.My contract was extended to launch the First Line Leader Apprenticeship Pilot [L3 Team Leader & Supervisor Standard] to compare the Apprenticeship Standard against the existing In-house Supervisory programme. In addition, we ran a three-phase procurement process to identify and select our preferred Training Provider to facilitate this programme. Also, I have designed a demand capture and financial planning tool to provide specific analysis to manage Levy income, expenditure and balance expiry.

KEY SKILLS:Catalyst for change providing team direction and motivation through support and mentoring to achieve continuous development, thereby achieving strategic targets including P&L responsibilitiesPossesses clear strategic vision and commercial acumen working with key stakeholders to deliver business and organisational benefitsConcise and articulate communicator with proven leadership skillsAnalytical thinker resulting in creative problem solving EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:Invited to work with the British Council in Madrid to promote vocational qualificationsExtensive Programme Management experience across varied business sectorsIn depth knowledge of Government Apprenticeship Levy [due in April 2017]Design and implementation of Apprentice and Graduate Development ProgrammesDesign and implementation of Talent ProgrammesActive member of Apprenticeship Trailblazing Standard Development ProgrammeWorking across Government Departments including Department of Education, Skills Funding AgencyOccupational and psychometric testingUtilisation of Blended Learning Solutions and Learning Management SystemsProfessional Development working with Chartership organisationsSTEMNET Ambassadors Programme

Responsible for: Successfully attracting, recruiting, developing, promoting and retaining employees in line with business current and future goals. Supported by a learning and development strategy aimed at developing the emerging talent, as part of the “Grow with Amey” approach. Accountable for c.800 new employees comprising: School students, STEMNET Ambassadors Programme, Apprentices, Undergraduate and Graduate Programmes and Talent Tracker Programme aimed at first line supervisors. Operating licence holder for the delivery and implementation of the Duke of Edinburgh Business Awards. Currently working on an initiative to optimise the benefits of the Government Apprenticeship Levy to be introduced in April 2017.Responsible for implementing the L&D strategy for the business and overseeing the agreed learning interventions working with the Learning Specialists. Initiated a company-wide programme to proactively identify, manage and develop our existing talent ensuring we fully utilise our employees to successfully adapt to the changing economy and improve mobility and retention within Amey’s business

Key Elements of role: to provide Amey business divisions with guidance on Government / National Apprenticeship Service young people strategies and to secure maximum funding to develop our emerging talent. Leadership: Initiate an Apprenticeship Academy to ensure that young people do not feel isolated when embarking upon a new career away from their normal environment. This provides a unique community where our young talent can gain support and confidence from peers and colleagues with similar aspirations and concerns, thereby enhancing the potential professional and personal development of all, throughout their apprenticeship. Achievements:• Responsible for developing and implementing our recruitment campaign to attract 400 graduates and apprentices for a variety of disciplines to fulfil Amey’s target of 3% [equating to 525 employees on programme] of its workforce in Emerging Talent development programmes.• Following the acquisition of Enterprise, I was nominated as the lead for Emerging Talent to review and determine the requirements and scope of the employment and development of graduates and apprentices in the new enlarged organisation. Agree options for integrating and enhancing the apprentice and graduate programmes moving forward together with cost and resource estimates.• Overall responsibility for implementing cost effective learning and development solutions across the businesses, using third party suppliers to deliver business and organisational benefits. Also responsible for the design and implementation of a cohesive development strategy for all employees.

Responsible for the design and implementation of the 2nd-3rd year Advance Apprenticeship curriculum of the NVQ Level 3 approved by the City & Guilds. Accountable for the negotiation, management and implementation of the Skill Funding Agency contract with a value of £1.95 million per annum for apprentice vocational qualifications. Developed a strategic learning framework for professional technical programmes for new entrant railway engineers, liaising with senior business leaders, to meet the future business needs of Network Rail and the wider industry

Responsible for the strategic policy development and implementation to deliver a high quality, value for money training service to support the tactical development needs. Ensure compliance with the railway safety critical work regulations and other relevant standards. Secure new business to increase market share and operating profit. Introduction of parameters to ensure controls value for money procurement procedures and careful and consistent monitoring. Full profit and loss responsibility, performing feasibility studies on various sites to deliver a comprehensive suite of service level metrics, ensuring operational and financial efficiencies. Lead and motivate a team of 27 training professionals to meet customer expectations.