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Moving on up with SheWorks

85 days ago

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As part of our celebrations for International Women’s Day in 2019, Sodexo launched the SheWorks job shadowing programme, which aimed to connect women across the company with ambassadors in Facilities Management (FM) roles, to learn more about our activities, and explore future career opportunities.

Through the inaugural SheWorks programme, 22 job shadowing pairs were matched in the UK & Ireland, bringing together willing candidates with experienced ambassadors. The campaign received exceptionally positive feedback, with many candidates taking next steps towards furthering their Sodexo careers.

Stacy McDonald, then a catering team lead at HMP Addiewell, took the opportunity to shadow Nicola Newman, operations manager at Northumbria University. Stacy wanted to learn more about Sodexo’s work beyond the Justice business, and wished to explore career opportunities in FM.

Stacy McDonald

Pictured: Stacy McDonald

Nicola, who went on to be named Employee of the Year at last year’s Spirit of Sodexo Awards, took the opportunity to become an ambassador in order to share her knowledge and experience, and to learn something new along the way.

On the lasting benefit of her placement, Stacy said: “I was inspired by Nicola and the team, who helped me to realise what my next step should be. Soon after, I applied for the role of assistant facilities manager in the new Police Scotland contract, and was successful, starting my new job in October. It’s a development role, and the ideal move for me.

“The shadowing opportunity allowed me to experience someone else’s day-to-day role, and gave me the confidence to make that step.”

SheWorks also brought together candidate Sandra Russell with ambassador Jethro Pickard, an experienced operational manager and site lead at GSK Stevenage.

Jethro Pickard and Sandra Russell

Pictured: Jethro Pickard and Sandra Russell

At the time, Sandra was a cleaning manager, and had worked in the same Government & Agencies contract since joining the company.

Following her shadowing experience, Sandra has progressed within her segment and continued to develop: “The experience made me feel more confident in applying for other roles. I have now progressed into a service manager role on a different site, and have started an apprenticeship in facilities management.

“I was delighted to be able to share my experience via our contract newsletter and have encouraged colleagues to take up similar opportunities.”

The SheWorks programme will run again as part of this year’s celebrations for International Women’s Day (8 March). If you would like to take part, either as a candidate or an ambassador, please email: SoTogether.UKandIE@sodexo.com

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