Inspiring Female Employer Partners
This #InternationalWomensDay, we are celebrating some of our female employer champions. These are just some of the incredible women working in industry that we collaborate with to inspire our students.
Emily Shalaby: Social Value Officer, Equans UK
"I started my career when I became Cabin Crew for Emirates Airline in Dubai, at the age of 21. This role allowed me to gain confidence that I didn’t think was possible, due to pushing myself out of my comfort zone by engaging with hundreds of new people every day.
During my 8 years at Emirates, I built on my transferable skills and gained extensive knowledge in customer service, teamwork and communication. This led me to achieve a job as Parent Relations Executive in a Private School in Dubai. I put my transferable skills into practice and further cemented my passion for working with different people every day.
I moved back to the UK with my husband and our children, where I then undertook the role of Social Value Officer for Equans. I feel that I have really found my niche in Social Value and love every aspect that the role brings. I have the chance to make a difference to people’s lives and enjoy working with various groups of people each day.
Through my work with the college, I have the ability to pass on my knowledge and give people the confidence to develop their own transferable skills and seek their own rewarding careers."
Rebecca Paget: Nursery Manager, Kids Planet Great Sankey
"I started my career with Kids Planet Warrington in 2009 as a part time level 2 practitioner working around my own 2 children. I then took on an level 3 apprenticeship and soon after I qualified I was promoted to a senior practitioner and took on the role of the nursery SENDCO. September 2018 I was promoted to Deputy Manager at our sister nursery, Great Sankey. During this time, I completed my SENDCO level 3 award to support me in my role as SENDCO. August 2020 I was promoted to Nursery Manager of Kids Planet Great Sankey. Being the manager of a very busy nursery with 50+ staff members and almost 300 children coming through the doors each week keeps me extremely busy, I love that each day is different, we get to plan wonderful activities, experiences and events for our children, staff team and families. My favourite part of being a nursery manager is the succession of my staff team, watching them grow in confidence and knowledge which goes on to support our children and families." |
Michelle Brammeier: Employee Director, Catalyst Choices
"My current title and job role is Catalyst Way (employee) Director at Catalyst Choices and deeply committed to the well-being and empowerment of others. In my role, I serve as a crucial link between employee ownership and employee well-being at the CIC Board level. My responsibilities include ensuring that employees’ voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes. I am chair of the Catalyst Way Board (CWB) and oversee this employee representative board. The CWB comprises representatives from each service area, with each representative acting as the voice of their team. They address matters related to positive cultural development, employee ownership, and significant decisions that impact employees. I am part of a team responsible for delivering a 10-week communication course that underpins our culture and overall purpose. Additionally, Catalyst Choices has a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders, of which I am one, emphasizing the importance of a supportive and nurturing environment for all our employees. My extensive experience spans over 22 years in health and social care. I have worked as a frontline caregiver, leading small teams. My hands-on care experience includes working in a hospice environment, both on the ward and in daycare settings, where I supported palliative patients and their families. Much of my career has been primarily creating meaningful day service opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Working closely with service users and their families, I always ensured services were and still are delivered in a person-centred way. I collaborated with other healthcare professionals in a multidisciplinary approach to meet the unique care needs of everyone I have had the privilege to support. I hold qualifications in social care, as well as supervision and leadership, which I successfully completed within my workplace. Outside of work I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (achieved in 2015) I have volunteered my counselling services to organisations such as Action for Blind, Age UK, and St Rocco’s, providing valuable support to people in Warrington and St Helens. Over the past 22 years, I’ve witnessed significant changes in our work processes. One notable transformation has been the shift to digitalisation, where all our files and service user records are now managed electronically. This transition has undoubtedly streamlined our operations and improved efficiency and has causes some issues at times, which we continue to address and overcome. It’s remarkable that over the past 22 years, despite all the changes, one constant has been the privilege of collaborating with like-minded colleagues. Together, we share a common passion: to provide the people we serve with exceptional care. Their well-being remains at the heart of our commitment. When we see the impact we make, the smiles we bring, and the positive change we create, job satisfaction blooms. It’s the quiet fulfilment that whispers, “You’re making a difference.” " |
Grace Roberts: Mechanical Estimator, Kimpton
"I completed my A Level studies in 2020, I was working at the Cadbury Shop at Cheshire Oaks at the time. I decided I wanted to explore what apprenticeships where out there, I obtained an administrative apprenticeship at The Countess of Chester Hospital in the Health Records. After a few weeks I realised that the apprenticeship / career path was not for me. Following this I continued to look for the best fit for me, when a Sales Administrative role came up at Kimpton (a local M&E engineering company). After two successful interviews I secured the role. I started on a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, after 6 months the company offered me the opportunity to progress on to a Technical Apprenticeship as I was interested in learning and developing my engineering knowledge/skills. In 2023 I obtained my HNC Level 4 certificate in Building services engineering. At present my role is a Mechanical Estimator at Kimpton and I am continuing to learn and develop my knowledge about the industry."
