Tim Ward joined our graduate scheme in
September 2010, after graduating from Newcastle University with a
degree in Architecture. After various roles in the construction
industry, he found himself working for our Customer Contact Centre
(CCC) team in Middlesbrough. He realised he had a lot of
skills to be put to good use in our industry, so he applied for our
graduate scheme and hasn’t looked back since.
Why did you decide to apply for the
scheme?
I’m very ambitious, and it seemed like the
perfect opportunity to progress personally and professionally in my
career! I’m looking forward to gaining a lot of experience and
tackling new challenges.
Do you feel you’ve been able to
make a real contribution as a result of the scheme?
I really feel the opportunities I’ve been
given have allowed me to make changes that benefit the whole
business. So far, my best example of this is when I was given a
challenge to look at office costs and given the chance to make
changes to reduce costs. Using my past experience of working
in the CCC as a base, I was able to introduce a series of small
changes to reduce costs without compromising performance in any way
– saving us approximately £60,000 per year in the Manchester
office! A lot of these ideas have since been communicated outside
the region, with huge savings potential across the wider
business.
Have you worked with anyone or a
particular team that has inspired you?
The Manchester team have welcomed me with
open arms and helped me to settle in the North West. My operations
manager, Faith King, has supported me in everything I have done.
She invites me to provide opinions and input wherever possible, and
her management style has definitely set the bar for me. I have also
worked with Paul Ryder, who is the Head of Development for the Home
Affairs contracts. His determination and vision for the future of
the company within the Home Affairs sector is inspiring and gives a
real sense of excitement for the future of the company.
What qualities do you need to do
well in the scheme?
Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are
crucial. And communication skills are a must. When people are aware
that I am here to learn and help make improvements, they are really
keen to help me and get involved with my projects.
Would you recommend
us?
Definitely! I’m tackling exciting
challenges and I've already had plenty of opportunities to show
what I’m capable of and fulfil my potential – opportunities that
might otherwise have not have been available to me for years. My
confidence, communication and organisation skills are improving all
the time, and I’ve benefited immensely from the knowledge and
experience of my colleagues
Practically, I am learning a massive amount
about the various contracts that Working Links works on, the way
the company runs and the future expansion plans.