AP Group constantly endeavours to provide a wide range of opportunities for staff to help develop their knowledge and skills.The company knows that the correct level of training clearly demonstrates adequate skills to ensure a successful outcome in building strong successful relationships and in providing a first-class recruitment service to its clients and candidates.
Carla Whitham, Stephen Gibson and Louise Hill are the company’s newest REC-qualified consultants.
Carla moved from Yorkshire to Guernsey in 1996 and has an NVQ Level II in business studies, which she acquired at the College of Further Education in Barnsley.With her combined work experience in the UK and with over nine years’ experience in Guernsey’s finance sector, she brings an extensive understanding of the island’s financial industry to AP Personnel.Carla is the temp controller for the Guernsey office, and deals with all temporary and contract workers in the finance, legal and insurance industry.She is dedicated to continually strengthening and establishing relationships, building rapport and identifying needs of both clients and candidates to ensure a hassle-free recruitment process.
Having achieved the Certificate in Recruitment Practice with merit, Carla values this nationally recognised industry qualification as a must-have for any consultant working in the recruitment sector."It is vital that we conduct our business ethically and to the highest standards to promote good practice.This qualification affirms our commitment to offering a range of valuable services and benefits to both clients and candidates.AP Personnel is a dynamic and growing company, offering rewarding and lucrative career opportunities to its staff.I am moving to the UK in January and am pleased to have been offered the opportunity to carry on working for the company in their new London office", says Carla.
The London office falls under the AP Executive banner of the group’s companies, has a global presence with established offices worldwide and is now set to take London by storm. Newly launched in Ironmonger Lane, off Gresham Street, the office provides an excellent base for the company to meet the increasing demand for clients requiring in-depth knowledge and a high-quality recruitment service with particular emphasis on the trust, legal and banking sectors.
Stephen, who joined AP Group earlier this year, has over five years’ experience in the finance industry."AP gave me the opportunity to achieve an REC qualification and it helps that I am able to put my study into practice on a daily basis.It is a great pleasure to have achieved this qualification and be recognised professionally for what I do", he says.As a finance consultant, he is responsible for administering a portfolio of clients and providing them with suitable candidates for their company.
Knowing the importance of this placement, he meets regularly with his clients to discuss particular roles in more depth and takes the time with his candidates to discuss their experience, knowledge, goals and aspirations, and successfully marries the two.Steve continued, "Identifying a competent candidate requires examining their knowledge, skills, self-concepts, traits and motives that are critical for success in the target job; merely having skill and knowledge does not guarantee success.It is the deeper and less visible competencies that are often critical to success".
By using Profile 2000, it is possible to filter applicants for the job requirements and request the most suitable individuals. The programme is used by some of the world’s biggest recruitment companies, although AP Personnel is the only Channel Islands agency to have installed it."I hope to continue undertaking professional qualifications and to progress in my career, and will be starting the diploma in recruitment practice next year.In my short time at AP Personnel I have found that this company rewards hard work and loyalty, so hopefully at some point in the future I will be in a position to progress with the group," he concluded.
Louise Hill moved from the mainland to Guernsey and she too has extensive experience in Guernsey’s finance sector.Working within a strong professional and meticulous finance team, she deals with all permanent vacancies in the finance, legal and insurance sectors. She is responsible for building good relationships and striving towards smoothing the recruitment process for both candidates and clients.
The group’s professional and confidential process is paramount to its service, and offers the added benefit of its international network of recruitment consultants as well as an extensive database of candidates. Combined with its web and recruitment technology-based solutions, it retains the edge in providing successful placements.
"By completing the Certificate in Recruitment Practice, I am able to offer a better service with specialised knowledge and expertise while adhering to the REC code of best practice.I am very happy to have achieved this qualification, as personal development is incredibly important to me.I am dedicated to providing a service that is helpful and honest.This qualification has also given me a better understanding of the recruitment process as a whole and has allowed me the chance to recognise my strengths and work on my weaknesses as a consultant," says Louise.
"As a company, a strict code of ethics, professional conduct and training is adhered to at all times. Our high success rate in recruitment is evidence of our standards and experience in this field.Carla, Steve and Louise’s recent qualification reflects the company’s commitment to the training and development needs of the staff and the importance of staying abreast with the latest recruitment trends and principles of best practice.The key to success in any business is its people, and investment in developing staff has always been a priority for the company. Awarded "Investors in People" status in December 2004, AP Personnel has demonstrated high levels of staff training, evaluation, progression and development procedures that are in place and which the group fervently upholds," says the team’s finance manager, Jennifer Hallam.