Rachel Reynolds, who has recently joined the Progress Careers team as Business Development Executive explains how, by returning to the sector to work with Progress Careers, she felt that she was returning home.
With over 30 years’ experience of working in various career-related roles, Rachel is well aware of the power of good quality, impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). She has worked across a range of roles in the careers sector, as a Careers Adviser supporting students in mainstream and SEN schools, as well as setting up and managing community projects to help adults back into work. She then went on to become the Director of Business Development for a large careers service, where she led significant tenders and managed the set-up of new contracts including the National Careers Service for adults in the community and in custody. In 2017, she made the move into the tech sector, where she spent 6 years working for an SME as Head of Talent, Culture and HR. After changes at work, Rachel found herself looking for a new role, which was when she spotted the opportunity with Progress Careers.
After speaking with members of the team, Rachel knew that it was where she wanted to be, and after dazzling in her interview, she was offered the role.
Talking of why Rachel wanted to join the Progress Careers team she said:
“I had always been passionate about helping to inspire young people, so it felt natural to switch back to spending more time in the sector after I left my HR role. I chose Progress Careers because the culture, core values and passion to deliver a high quality, dynamic and engaging service feels like I am home!
“Since joining the organisation, I have already seen that schools are approaching Progress Careers to tap into their services and expertise, so the key for me is to build our network of inspirational, professional, and dynamic Careers Advisers. I am particularly excited to learn more about our apprenticeships and how we can find more talented people to join our amazing tribe. If you are reading this and want to find out more about how we can support schools or how you can add value to our adviser network, please get in touch with me.”
In addition to helping to attract future Career Advisers to the team, Rachel will also take the lead in helping to drive the business’ growth plans which will see them expand their geographical footprint. The expansion will enable this passionate team of professionals to work with more secondary schools and Multiple Academy Trusts (MATs) and in turn, inspire more young people.
Progress Careers, who deliver impartial CEIAG activities pride themselves on delivering a service like schools have never seen before. Steeped in experience, the team works alongside schools to become an extension of their in-house teams. Their dynamic approach flexes to meet the needs of each individual school and the students within. This is just one reason why 100% of schools were happy with their service in 2022. Progress Careers also has a significant social impact on society. Having recently concluded their Social Accounting process with The Connectives, Progress Careers are proud to report that they generated £17,475,034 of social value between 2021-2022 and for every £1 spent on their services, they yielded a return on investment of £21.98.
Paula Thompson, Managing Director of Progress Careers said:
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rachel to the team. She has already been getting to grips with our business priorities and has begun working with me to build on our positive reputation to grow our networks.
“Rachel optimizes the values of our business and with her vast experience of working in the sector, and excellent insight into employability skills from her time in HR, I have no doubt that her impact will be immense.”
Progress Careers are recruiting for roles across the North West (specifically around the Wigan and St Helens areas), Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and the Humber. If you share Rachel’s passion for helping to shape the life of a young person, find out more and contact the team today here.
