"I am passionate about my work and would encourage anyone to come to PETA to either start their apprenticeship journey or to gain or update their skills."
What led you to work for PETA?
After studying courses within Business, IT and Customer Service I have always worked in different office establishments. I enjoy working within an educational or training environment and have in the past 10 years worked at Havant and South Downs College. In my previous role at HSDC I supported the smooth running of the adult courses to meet the needs of the local community, supported open events, administered the Distance Learning programmes, and even trained to become an assessor for Business Administration, Customer Services and Event Planning. After being made redundant from HSDC recently I was drawn to the PETA role mainly due to their good reputation and being the main provider in apprenticeships and their varied training courses.
What is your role at PETA and what drives you to do what you do?
As a Health and Safety Administrator I am responsible for all the administration tasks involved in the Health and Safety Sponsored course. Having engagement with customers, producing courseware, registrations, and certificates, maintaining quality records, and generally helping out within the team where I can. I enjoy a challenge and love learning new skills within this role, and the positive attitude of all the staff really help it to make a great place to work.
What knowledge and experience do you draw upon for your role?
With over 20 years office experience in various administration roles, I feel that I can adapt to new challenge in a well organised and motivated way. I love a course and a certificate so spend a lot of time looking for new courses to do to better myself, I have recently completed qualifications in Counselling, Mental Health First Aid, IAG and Equality and Diversity and feel these are all beneficial in every organisation.
How do you approach your role on a day-to-day basis? What skills are required?
I think in any administration role you need to be patient, eager to learn and willing to ask lots of questions if you are unsure. Being new to PETA I have always known that everyone is willing to help no matter how big or small the problem is.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family especially my 2 daughters particularly when it involves a touch of pampering or some retail therapy. I also have become involved through the college as an ambassador for the Southern Domestic Abuse Service who run a refuge accommodation offering support and temporary accommodation to women and children. I got involved in this charity when we had learners come through HSDC who had used the service and were coming back out into the community. I do various small events promoting the service in my own time and also do collections at Christmas to help SDAS make up care packages for the women and children when they arrive at the ‘safe’ house. The joy a bottle of shampoo or a body spray can bring a woman in refuge is totally humbling.
What are your personal values, and what is important to you?
Positivity, patience and kindness – I try to be a positive person, remaining professional in the workplace but will give time to others as you never know what is going on in someone’s life. My favourite quote - ‘In a world where you can be anything. Be Kind.’