What a difference two years can bring! - Article by Georgina Ure

I joined Ashley Kate HR two years ago as an Apprentice Administrator – today, I am a fully-fledged HR Recruitment Consultant – what a difference two years can bring! The last two years have been full of change, I have honed my recruitment skills, having started recruiting junior level candidates in the Midlands, to now, recruiting for junior and mid-level HR candidates in the Yorkshire region. From a business perspective, Ashley Kate HR has gone through massive change as well, having been acquired by Nicholas Associates Group in January 2016, an exciting time, one which I am thrilled to have been a part of. This acquisition has enabled us, as Ashley Kate HR, to become part of a wider group, meaning we now have the ability to provide talent management solutions from ‘Apprentice to Boardroom’, a truly unique selling point.  This is something close to my heart, as I started out as an Apprentice and plan on making it to Boardroom (eventually).

I’ve come a long way since I began my journey at Ashley Kate HR and what a journey it has been! I have been very lucky in my recruitment career so far and have had the pleasure of being supported by some excellent consultants, Natasha James, Emma Dobson, Lucy Wesson, Colin Orr and my manager, Jacqui Wall – but most predominantly, from my colleague Paula Shaw, who recruits senior level candidates in Yorkshire.  Paula has been with Ashley Kate HR for eleven years and has built up such a fantastic reputation in our area, which ultimately, made my move from the Midlands to Yorkshire, a smooth one.  As a Business Manager within Ashley Kate HR, Paula has worked closely with me on my personal recruitment development, as well as this, she makes an absolutely fantastic partner in crime!

At first, I wasn’t entirely sure that the recruitment world was for me for a couple of reasons, but primarily and unfairly, the industry doesn’t have the best reputation, similarly, neither do Apprenticeships.  However, doing an Apprenticeship has lead me to where I am today and by providing a consistent and great quality recruitment service to our clients and candidates alike, Ashley Kate HR is able to create a better image for recruiters and recruitment consultancies.  The Apprentice image is one of a school leaver, who’s making their way in to the working world for this first time – this wasn’t me!  I was a 21-year-old, work experienced candidate, who just wanted the opportunity to prove herself as an administrator. As far as I am concerned, Apprenticeships give people a great opportunity to join different types of businesses to develop their work experience – whether that be through a trade or working within an office environment, the possibilities are endless.  For me, my Apprenticeship has enabled me to gain entry in to a career that I would not have otherwise entered – for this, I am extremely thankful!