These case studies give you a flavour of starting a business management or administraion career...
Pauline - Assurance Adviser (Joined July 2006)
"Being an Assurance Adviser means making sure that the members of the Business Area are aware of, and complying with, the various company and legal requirements that apply to them. This is a new and challenging post for me and AWE is a very different environment to the MoD where I used to work.
Every day I’m dealing with a variety of different people from across the organisation, which has meant a really steep learning curve. However, in the few months I’ve been here I’ve already attended lots of training courses, which have helped me to increase my knowledge and network with other employees. It really helps that everyone is so helpful and welcoming. But even more than that, everyone I’ve met has been so positive about their future at AWE, which has made me really positive about mine."
Jane - Office Manager (Joined November 2005)
"AWE is unique in that it feels like a real community – it’s like another town that exists on the edge of Tadley! This comes through in the working culture too. It’s clear right from the start that AWE genuinely cares about its employees – our health, safety and wellbeing.
My job as Office Manager involves making sure the Recruitment Team’s office is running smoothly and giving them all the administrative support they need. It’s a friendly team – the kind of environment where your ideas are listened to and you’re recognised for the contribution you make.
My job’s enough to keep me busy at the moment, but there are lots of development opportunities for when I’m ready. In a year or two, I’ll look into the various on-site training courses and may consider signing up for a college course."
Sarah - Print Room Operative (Joined September 2005)
"My job involves supporting the central Design Print Room. We produce things like documents or brochures and prepare presentation for clients from all across AWE. The jobs we work on vary a lot but they are all challenging because they demand real attention to detail. Projects can last anywhere from 1 hour to 2 weeks.
AWE is a unique place to work because it has an atmosphere all of its own; it feels like everyone knows everyone. I really enjoy being part of the Design Print team, partly because it constantly brings you into contact with people from around the company.
On a day-to-day basis I work with quite a range of equipment – from scanners and laser plotters to colour graphics systems – so there’s been lots of initial training. Training’s of a high standards and it’s open to everyone. Apart from in-house courses, I’ve been on a computer security course and studied for an NVQ in Administration."
Sophie - Data Capture (Joined June 2006)
"I decided to join AWE because a company this size gives you so many more options. With lots of different types of jobs available, you can learn one skill and move on to other things or decide to work your way up the career ladder. AWE is very supportive when it comes to your development – they encourage you to learn new skills and progress.
I’ve been on lots of training courses already and I know there are always new ones I can sign up for. I’m also studying further at college alongside my work so I can develop my skills and gain more qualifications.
At the moment I’m in Data Capture team where our work involves a lot of scanning and checking of documents. Problem-solving is a big part of it and I really enjoy that aspect of my job."