We have some amazing staff members at Shipley, Jen is our HR Manager and has worked at the College 2019. Alongside managing the HR Department Jen is also very passionate about staff wellbeing and works hard to make sure all our staff feel valued and supported. We asked Jen about her work at the college:

'I’ve been at Shipley College for almost 4 years but I have worked in HR for 21 years in total. I started working in HR straight out of uni and have worked my way up in various organisations. I’ve gone from making cups of tea and filing to running a HR department. My role at Shipley College as HR Manager means I am responsible for the whole of the HR function, from recruitment and offering employment to everything that comes after that. I am involved in strategic elements such as policy writing and making sure the vision of HR fits in with the vision of the College. I also sit on the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team, the Sustainability team and I lead on staff wellbeing and mental health. 

Staff wellbeing is very important to me, it's one of my main priorities as HR Manager. We have a fantastic wellbeing team for our students and I am fortunate that I get to lead on the wellbeing for staff. I have always been people focused and passionate about looking after and supporting people to be the best they can be. If we invest in people's wellbeing they’re so much happier and engaged, having a positive working environment benefits everyone; happy staff make for happy students! We have staff wellbeing days where staff are able to take some time out and do something fun with colleagues. It's a great way to make connections and form bonds. I also really enjoy organising our staff awards, it's a great way to voice all the things people are thinking but don’t have the opportunity to say. It's so lovely to be able to thank the staff.  We like to make a fuss about the awards and we do them twice a year. 

The first thing I noticed when I came for my interview here was how friendly and welcoming it was. I had a tour around the campus and I felt such a lovely atmosphere about the place. When I was offered the role I jumped at the opportunity. Not only was it progressing my career but I would also be working for an amazing organisation that had an excellent culture and whose values matched my own! 

Alongside being a really positive environment there are also fantastic benefits to working at the College. We offer a large holiday allowance, some term time only working, extra College closure days, flexible working policies, a very generous enhanced pension scheme, free gym on site, College car parks and we’re close to the train station so we have great transport links. We have a lot of development opportunities and invest in training and CPD for staff. We have a library which staff can access and onsite dining with great quality and inexpensive food! We also have the option to sign up to reduced train travel and shopping discounts with discount apps.  It's great to work for an organisation with a focus on E,D&I  and sustainability, these are topics I am really invested in and it's so nice to see that reflected in my employer!'

Want to join our team of ‘Great People’? See all of our current Shipley College vacancies here