Workshop One

What qualities make a great employee?

Early Wednesday afternoon, myself and 4 other eager CMGers made our way to Queens Park Community School for the first of many Career Academy workshops with who I can only describe as a great bunch of young adults!

After an introduction to the programme by Sheryll, we each took it in turns to introduce ourselves. Here are this year's intake of ambitious students ready to throw themselves whole heartedly into the programme:

Turab

Aarti

Andres
Mairi

Bashir

Waqar

Nadira

Rokhsar

Safiyyah

Esther

Emmanuel

Karamyar

Saif
Remi

It was great to hear what each of the group were studying and their ambitions for the future whether it be to further their study or to take a jump into the world of work.

The first workshop looked at the difference between being a student and being an employee, and what values are needed to make a good employee. We began by splitting into 3 groups, where the thought showering began and therefore the competition for a few tasty treats.

The sheer number of ideas discussed was impressive - Punctual, Relationship Building, Confident, Motivated, Honest, Results Driven, Respectful, Enthusiastic, and Polite were really just a snippet of some of the fantastic values that were spoken about in this workshop! After a lot of discussion within our groups, a member of each team took turns to present a Value to the group explaining why it’s important in the workplace. 



Alex Biagioni goes through some key qualities with Emmanuel, Rokhsar, Mairi and Bashir



New recruits Olivia and Tara discussing values with Nadira, Turab, Waqar, Andres and Esther



George noting down brilliant ideas bounced around by his team - Aarti, Karam, Remi and Saif

The fabulous Sheryll Karpel judges and awards points for qualities for being an excellent employee...we had over 30 in total!

I think the first workshop was a definite success! The enthusiasm shown and the results achieved completely proved to me why career moves group has continued to support this programme. The feedback from the group was so positive, here are a few examples:

Aarti:

“These qualities that we have contributed will go beyond our internships.  No matter where we are these qualities will always be here to help us know what makes a good employee”

Mairi:

“This workshop has taught us how to act at work and we will use these things now.  Thank you!”

Turab:"I really have improved my confidence through this workshop. Presenting to the group and especially to new people who I hadn't met before will help me when I begin my internship"

I really am looking forward to another highly enjoyable afternoon at QPCS :)

Olivia x

The New Intake

Career Moves Group are proud to announce that we have launched our 4^th consecutive year working with Career Academies UK, partnering with Queens Park Community School to provide employability workshops and ultimately assist in finding paid summer internships for students.

Career Academies UK is an organisation that partners with schools and colleges across the UK to gain internships for young adults that may, without the programme, not be able to find a way into the commercial world.  The programme contains a mix of Guru Lecturers, visits, mentors and finally the internships.  The programme is undertaken by a select group of students (chosen by Partners in Business and school representatives) during their sixth form studies.  It takes hard work and determination for the students to complete the programme alongside their studies, but in our experience, the students at QPCS have grabbed onto this opportunity with both hands.

Sheryll Karpel, Head of the HR Moves division at Career Moves Group, has supported QPCS students through this programme for four years, after being an active parent at the school and part of the PTFA.  Sheryll offered talks to students outside of the Career Academy programme.  It became a natural progression for Career Moves Group to become a fully involved Partner when QPCS took up the programme. 

Sheryll has encouraged staff at Career Moves to get involved with the programme, and we always have more than enough volunteers!  Sheryll really believes in the Career Academy programme, and has instilled this in the rest of our organisation: “This is such an important programme. In an age where young people do not necessarily have access to the Business/Commercial world and where ‘employability ‘ skills are not being passed on in the same way , having the opportunity to pass on our knowledge and help prepare students for the world of work becomes crucial to helping create a new and diverse talent pool”.

There are 6 of us involved in this years programme, and we will be heading down to the school on numerous occasions to teach them employability skills, help them learn what makes a good employee, and much more.  From there, we will become mentors for the students of QPCS (the only school in Brent taking part in the programme!) and help them plan what type of industry they would like to gain an internship with, and more importantly, what they can gain from the programme for them.

Alex Biagioni, Junior Account Manager of HR Moves, helped with the programme last year, and was part of the interview process to decide the intakes for 2012.  “Being part of the programme last year was a real eye opener.  We met with the students in the new year (2011) and supported them through various fun and informative workshops.  Our consultants that were mentors kept in touch during the internships and we invited the students to come in and talk to us about what they had learnt and gained.  Seeing how they developed over the course of the programme was astonishing.  There were students that were reluctant to tell us their names in the first meeting that were now giving fully comprehensive presentations on their internships.  I truly believe that this is a worthwhile programme, and I would implore anyone thinking of taking on an intern to get in touch!”

We are taking a new swing on the Career Academy this year and that’s where this blog comes in.  We will be keeping you up to date with our sessions and progress with entries and photos.  This year our core Career Moves Group team include:

Sheryl Karpel – Head of HR Moves, Career Moves Group – Sheryll has been at Career Moves Group for 24 years and is a true ambassador for Career Academies UK.  Sheryll is the Chair for the Local Advisory Board at QPCS, and is passionate and creative.  Her support to QPCS and the programme is second to none.

Ben Coupland – Account Manager, Finance Moves – Ben joined Career Moves Group in June 2010 and got involved in the 2011 programme, coming to meetings and assisting with teaching skills.  Ben specialises in finance, which we find is a keen interest for many students, so Ben will be on hand to answer any questions the students might have about landing a role in this environment!

Tara Huyskens – Account Manager, PR Moves – Tara came to us at Career Moves Group late in 2011 and is keen to get stuck in with the Career Academy programme.  Not only has Tara got stellar PR experience, she keeps her eye on digital recruitment opportunities.  She’ll be the go to for anyone who is attracted to PR or any students that are interested in social media.

Alexandra Biagioni – Junior Account Manager, HR Moves – Alex also took part in the 2011 programme and interviewed applicants for the 2012 intake.  With experience in HR recruitment, Alex has a strong understanding of what employees look for from candidates at interview.

Olivia Woodhead – Resourcer, Career Moves Group – Olivia works on the support division at Career Moves Group, and immediately showed interest in the programme.  She has a keen eye for what you need to look at for entry level roles and what a CV should look like!

George Martin – Resourcer, Media Moves – George is another new intake for the Career Academy supporters here at Career Moves Group.  George specialises in creative recruitment at the junior level, and will be a popular ear for the numerous students who are attracted by roles in creative spaces!

We are really looking forward to this years programme and can’t wait to share our experiences with you. 


Stay tuned!