Working at DCG

Can you tell us a little bit about your job role and your responsibilities?

As the HR Operations Manager, my position brings a lot of variety to each working day. I am responsible for the administration of the core HR and Finance systems as well as overseeing any additional systems the HR team use. In addition to this, I have responsibility for the Payroll team at DCG, ensuring that employee paperwork is processed accurately and on time. My team and I will cover processing of data through the employee’s time at the College. Further to this, I have involvement in projects within the HR department and wider College, often being assigned as the Project Manager.

How much variety is there in your role?

There is so much variety to my role that not one day is ever the same. Whether it is working on a new system, developing it to make sure it meets the customers need or if it is meeting with colleagues to review current procedures or to introduce something new. In the morning I can be making sure that an employee’s pay is correct and in the afternoon I can be delivering a training session to employees on how to use a system

What do you enjoy about your job role and about working for the College?

The thing I enjoy most about my job role is the satisfaction of introducing something new that makes an improvement to the organisation. To develop something to improve the experience of an employee using a system and to be able to say ‘I did that’ gives me great job satisfaction.

If, applicable, how has your role or career developed with the College?

My career has been shaped by the College during my time here. When I first started, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do as a career but over time, the College has invested in myself to gain valuable experience and qualifications relating to my job role. Starting as an administrator, I have progressed as an assistant, co-ordinator and officer before being promoted to management level and I have always been well supported by the team around me and the College in making these steps.

What support have you received for your development

I’ve completed many qualifications during my time at the College whilst also having colleagues in the team who have always been willing to pass on their experience. During my time here, the College has supported me to complete my CIPP, CIPD and Prince2 whilst also agreeing to various internal qualifications and external training. I’m currently working towards a degree in Business which the College are supporting.

How does your role contribute to our students learning journey?

The main purpose of my position is to make sure employees are paid each month. If my team and I didn’t complete this, I imagine that the employees working directly with the students would not be as keen to complete their job roles.

Any other comments?

Whenever I’m asked whether or not I enjoy working for the College, my answer is always ‘I wouldn’t have stayed for as a long as I have if I didn’t’. It’s an organisation that if you invest a lot in the College, it will invest back in you. I always feel appreciated by the team around me and there is always an understanding and respect for what each person can offer.

Can you tell us a little bit about your job role and your responsibilities?

As an Inclusion and Support Coordinator and lead on Digital Technology for Inclusion, I am passionate about Inclusion and the technology involved in supporting students to become more independent and ready for further education or work. I have a wide range of responsibilities that includes coordinating support for a number of curriculum areas, delivery to staff and students on varied and diverse topics which have included, strategies around inclusion at Derby College Group (DCG), policy of inclusion nationally and locally at DCG, and the different technological adaptations available for students and staff to use. I am responsible for the implantation of resources. . I conduct annual EHCP reviews for students. I am involved in staff recruitment which I enjoy greatly. I support staff and students at TWINTS (student interviews) and Open Evenings to ensure support advice can be implemented at the start of a student’s journey at DCG

How much variety is there in your role?

I have a great deal of variety within my role as stated in the above statement, as well as this I am also included in a number of focus and steering groups such as EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), creating an Inclusive Classroom, the new college strategy and the induction process. I am part of the team that works nationally for the Centre for Excellence in SEND (Inclusion) which aims to improve the quality of our service and the sharing of this excellent practice year on year.

What do you enjoy about your job role and about working for the College?

I enjoy all elements of my job and the people I work with; every day is a new challenge. I have a great deal of variety within my role which helps keep the role fresh and interesting. Staff are friendly and approachable which is enhanced through cross college collaboration and training.

If, applicable, how has your role or career developed with the College?

I started at the college at the age of 19 as an ESW (Educational Support Worker) and worked in this role for nine plus years. Following my completion of my Cert Ed (teacher training), which I completed through Derby University, I became part of the specialist teaching team within Inclusion. I am now part of the co-ordination team that helps plan, implement and improve support for all students who are part of DCG. During my journey, I have learnt a great deal and continue to learn from all colleagues across the college.

What support have you received for your development

I have had continuous CPD opportunities and development. I am involved in all staff inset/training days. Monthly formal check in’s from my line manager, who is always on hand outside of this time and continuous colleague support from my direct team

How does your role contribute to our students learning journey?

DCG’s, particularly Inclusion’s transition planning and preparation is one of the first impressions the student and parents/guardians experience when thinking about applying to DCG. Through this process, we have narrowed the learning gaps between students with a shared inclusion need and their peers. We then follow the student throughout their college journey and aim for the student become as independently ready for the next stage in their student life. All students with or without a shared inclusion need has access to support throughout the college and on all sites in our base-room and hubs.

Any other comments?

DCG is a great place to work whether it’s your first job or not, the college will provide all the training and support you need, which in turn provides the best teaching, learning, assessment and support for all students at DCG.

Can you tell us a little bit about your job role and your responsibilities?

As Technical Services Manager I look after the maintenance team of six including two apprentices. I’m also heavily involved with the planned maintenance contract to make sure the College premises and assets are kept in their best possible condition.

How much variety is there in your role?

Their is a lot of job variation in my role, I currently cover all of the college sites and in doing so their is never a dull moment! In maintenance we come across all different kind of jobs that differ each hour never mind day!

What do you enjoy about your job role and about working for the College?

I am proud of maintaining Derby Colleges Estate, we have a fantastic buildings and the environment that the staff and students create within them is warm, friendly and helpful.

If, applicable, how has your role or career developed with the College?

I have progressed twice within the College, I started in 2009 as maintenance plumber and have also been a supervisor, a Coordinator and now a manager.

What support have you received for your development

My line manager and our director have been very supportive of my development, I have done a variety of courses whilst in my post and I am currently working towards my Diploma in management which will hopefully see me progress further in my role.

How does your role contribute to our students learning journey?

Maintenance of the buildings is a massive part of a students learning Journey, Without top working facilities and a warm college environment students wouldn’t attend lessons.

Can you tell us a little bit about your job role and your responsibilities?

The main role in the job is to paint and decorate across all of the campuses to keep them clean and in good standard for students, staff and visitors. To maintain the sites such as keeping the paint work in good condition, making sure all facilities are working in good order and to complete other general maintenance work that may be required. Some of my responsibilities are making sure we have the equipment we need for painting, collecting paint from a paint supplier , updating risk assessments.

How much variety is there in your role?

There is variety as working in maintenance, my main role is to paint across the sites but also complete other maintenance tasks that may be on the system if any work colleagues need assistance. These maintenance jobs may be like changing a tap or fixing a door handle depending on what job has been sent on the help desk if its a small or big job to complete.

What do you enjoy about your job role and about working for the College?

We paint and decorate across all campuses which is good as we can travel across all sites and see other members and staff and we don’t just paint on one site. We also get to paint different areas across the sites from classrooms to offices, general internal and external painting work throughout the year. I enjoy working for the college because I get along with my work colleagues in the team and we always help each other out when we can for any maintenance enquiries.

If, applicable, how has your role or career developed with the College?

My role and career has developed as I started off as an apprentice for two years and now have been fully employed by the college as a Painter & Decorator after finishing my apprenticeship. I have had the opportunity recently to progress onto the Level 3 Painting & Decorating course whilst working at the college to be qualified to the highest level in Painting & Decorating.

What support have you received for your development

I have received support from lecturers whilst on my course and from my line manager who has offered me training courses such as IPAF and PASMA which helps with the work we do.

How does your role contribute to our students learning journey?

Our role keeps the learning and working environment clean so students have got a clean place to learn and study.

Can you tell us a little bit about your job role and your responsibilities?

I work within the estates department specifically in the areas of cleaning, catering, security, site service amongst various other practical areas that ensure the running of the college

How much variety is there in your role?

Variety is the role in my case, no day is the same and I enjoy it for that reason.

What do you enjoy about your job role and about working for the College?

The ability to make a positive impact to the service given to our students, staff and visitors. There is trust and flexibility given to you as an employee to make decisions and apply previous experiences to make improvements. There is no “my way or the highway” here.

If, applicable, how has your role or career developed with the College?

Further enhanced my experience with FM management with same principals but within a completely new context of education. My background training was within the NHS. The college is keen and encourages you to use time for training in your field. This was alien to me when I first arrived but it’s a real positive asset to the culture here.

What support have you received for your development

The short answer to this would be time. Time in support from managers and colleagues.

How does your role contribute to our students learning journey?

If students are fed, in a clean, safe and calm environment it sets them in good place to take in the learning from our teachers.

Any other comments?

Derby college is a good place to work, enjoy and develop yourself. The weeks, months and years will fly.