People 1st Celebrates Exciting Staff Promotions: A Great Place to Grow Your Career!
20th Sep 2024
At People 1st, we believe in celebrating the successes and growth of our team. Recently, we’ve had the pleasure of announcing some exciting changes within our organisation, as two of our talented team members have stepped into new roles, reinforcing People 1st as a fantastic place to build a career.
Welcoming Laura Lavery as Apprenticeships Monitoring Officer
We’re thrilled to kick off our announcements by congratulating Laura Lavery, who has recently transitioned into her new position as Apprenticeships Monitoring Officer. Over the past three years, Laura has excelled as a Student Support Officer for our Skills for Life and Work programme at our Ormeau Road branch, developing a natural talent for helping our learners succeed. In her new role, Laura will work closely with both apprentices and employers, ensuring smooth progress through the qualification process while providing the necessary guidance and support.
Laura’s approachable nature and strong rapport with students make her the perfect fit for this role. She shared her enthusiasm for the new opportunity, stating, “I’m really looking forward to supporting our new apprentices, especially with the expansion of All Age Apprenticeships. I am looking forward to supporting a diverse range of learners.”
Her commitment to student success will undoubtedly continue to benefit our growing apprenticeship programmes. We wish Laura the best of luck and look forward to seeing her thrive in this role!
Gillian Duffy Steps into Apprenticeships Manager Role
Following closely on Laura’s exciting news, we are delighted to celebrate another promotion within our team. Gillian Duffy, who has been an integral part of People 1st for the past 14 years, has taken on the pivotal role of Apprenticeships Manager. Gillian’s journey with People 1st has seen her serve in various capacities, most recently as Centre Manager of our Ormeau Road branch, and her vast experience has made her a key figure in our organization.
In her new position, Gillian will lead the APPNI team, working closely with employers, managing enquiries, and supporting learners throughout their apprenticeship journey. Additionally, she will ensure compliance with Department for Economy regulations as part of the Apprenticeship programme.
Gillian shared her excitement about her new role, saying, “With the growth of the All Age Apprenticeships, this is an exciting time for new apprentices across all age groups. I can’t wait to take this fantastic programme forward.”
Her extensive experience, passion for education, and leadership skills make her the perfect choice for this position, and we are confident she will continue to drive the success of our apprenticeship programmes.
Employee-Owned Trust: Sharing in Success
In addition to their new roles, both Laura and Gillian will benefit from People 1st’s recent transition to an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT). As part of the EOT, all employees, including Laura and Gillian, will share in the company’s successes through our annual bonus scheme. This exciting development ensures that everyone at People 1st has a stake in the company’s future and rewards our team’s hard work and dedication.
Building a Future with People 1st
Both Laura and Gillian exemplify the opportunities for growth and development available at People 1st. These promotions highlight our commitment to nurturing talent and offering our employees the chance to take on new challenges and further their careers. With a dynamic and supportive environment, People 1st is not only a great place to work but also a place where careers can flourish.
We look forward to seeing what Laura, Gillian, and the rest of the team will achieve as we continue to shape the future of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland.
