My A4e - Clare Marie Taylor

Here is my story:

I have had an interesting career so far, starting life as a jeweller and then a side step into a training company where I worked my way up to Quality Manager, Work Based Learning Manager and Lead Internal Verifier. I had a fantastic External Verifier who recommended that I became an EV to, so I did.
The training company I worked for went bust and I started with a new company but was bored of being stuck in the same office everyday doing the same job as before, so went back to being an NVQ Assessor for a national company to get back out meeting people but hated the unrealistic targets and hours put on me.
At the same time as the assessor role I was a mentor for A4e, which I loved.
My friend called me and asked if had seen the paper, it has an excellent job in there that I had to apply for. Quality Practitioner for a national company.
I went and got the paper and that night sent my CV off to the recruitment company and they called me the next day while I was away on holiday, and said that I had an excellent CV as it was unusual to see work history with quality and training on it.
They wanted me to go for an interview at the end of that week and the company was A4e so I came back off my holiday early as I had been working as a mentor for this company I was really interested.
The interview was held in a lovely hotel in Exeter. I have to say the interview was very thorough and Steve Hart was very clear of what he needed in his area regarding the role.
The interview went really well and he really made me work hard throughout, really challenging me and my abilities and views to make sure I would fit in.
As per any interview it was said we will let you know. I don’t think at that point you ever know what’s going to happen next.
I got offered a second interview and before I knew it I was off to see Karen Roberts in Sheffield. Again I had a successful interview and was told they will let me know.
The offer came through and I accepted the role.
Since then it has gone from strength to strength with the role going from just Devon and Cornwall to National, we have developed a new quality tool which saves the managers time and produces reports, I am on central quality team and doing cross divisional work with A4e Work and Skills.
I can’t say that the challenges are not there now and I am doing things I didn't think I would be and expanding my knowledge of all A4e provisions so I am able to work on central teams. I enjoy the supportive/quality part of my role in helping and guiding managers to achieve their best, and do all I can to help them.

The best part is on my admin day when I can I still do mentoring for the local A4e works office as it seems to make an impact with the customers and they request to see me again as they feel it really helps them.
If I can give someone a chance to chat and give some advice which will motivate them to want to go back to work it is worthwhile as I always look at life that the glass is half full which is difficult for customers if they are feeling depressed or not motivated but gives them a chance to see things from someones else's points of view and take that forward. So far it has worked.
I was very motivated by attending In Conservation with Emma and decided that I wanted a company mentor.
I have managed to get myself one now so I have someone to lean on when there is a challenge or change, to discuss my concerns and issues and get a clear head to move forward but also to expand my knowledge regarding the company.
The company is excellent to work for and the staff I am meeting up and down the country are so friendly, helpful and supportive and really believe in Improving peoples lives, which is fantastic to see that the staff really believe the company ethos.

I am really enjoying my role and working for A4e and have people like Steve Hart to thank for all the support he has given me.

Many thanks for your time in reading my brief story.

Regards,
Clare-Marie Taylor
National Quality and Training Practitioner
Health and Social Care Division