Location: Hampshire, UK
Background
Having begun life working in the Pub Restaurant industry and quickly making it to Line House Manager by the age of 22, enjoying the day-to-day challenge of running of a premium brand public house. However, after 10 years I decided to make the leap away from hospitality to work for a College delivering NVQ in IT. They helped me to achieve numerous Certificates and after their funding was pulled, I then worked for some government funded delivery companies, including one which I was responsible for gaining full accreditation within 6 months, once again curtailed by funding changes, I eventually found a home with Voyager Software.
A dynamic software trainer and technical author, splitting my time between face to face or online training and building engaging, interactive web help content using MadCap Flare.
I have been at the forefront of numerous projects whilst at Voyager, recently becoming part of the Stakeholder team, in which we review and prioritise enhancements, ensuring the Product team have the product roadmap.
Current Employment
VOYAGER SOFTWARE
Technical author / Trainer
October 2011 - present
Voyager is a leading provider of innovative recruitment software. With our focus on service and delivering tangible benefits, our recruitment solutions offer rapid deployment and return on investment. Our products span the entire recruitment landscape from the front office to the back office and even to the bureau.
I split my time between Technical manuals, training and other projects. I have built the HTML5 webhelp using Madcap Flare (single source software), having started with a Word document, which I then built a basic CHM before convincing management to deliver an HTML5 version. It was a huge learning curve and one I have enjoyed a lot. I believe the content is well presented and more importantly delivers immediate assistance to the front end user. I continue to update this with each release and also strive to improve its content.
With my previous expertise in Excel I also jumped at the chance to work on the
integration with Power BI and our software. I produced a template that includes
28 separate reports, each allowing both end users and management to fully analyse
all aspects of their recruitment business.
I deliver training for Voyager's flagship SQL database product Voyager Infinity. The
training is completed at client sites, online or in our dedicated training room delivering
to individuals and to groups of differing abilities. Garnering feedback and collating
invaluable user experiences and frustrations to build a product roadmap.
SMART TRAINING & RECRUITMENT
Internal Verifier
January 2011 - October 2011
As Internal Verifier I ensured assessors made consistent decisions when assessing learner portfolios. I also had a workload of 30 learners within differing workplaces throughout the South-East area, delivering sessions to assist them in accomplishing the level 2 or 3 diploma or certificate in Business Admin, Customer Service and ITQ.
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RICIDE LTD
Senior Trainer / Internal Verifier
September 2009 - January 2011
I created, monitored and evaluated the whole course with lesson plans and support materials. I had a workload of 38 learners within differing workplaces throughout the South-East area, delivering sessions to assist them in accomplishing the ITQ Certificate.
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BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE
OF TECHNOLOGY
Senior Consultant / Internal Verifier / IT Tutor
March 2008 - September 2009
As Internal Verifier I ensured assessors made consistent decisions across the hospitality and cleaning sectors. I also monitored and evaluated the Health and Safety NVQ and full cost courses.
I assisted adult learners through their NVQ Level 2 in I.T. Completed assessments of their final pieces of evidence, giving feedback and support throughout their qualification, delivering workshops to groups and completing initial inductions and assessments. I was also involved in the creation of guides for Office 2007 programs to support learners with updating their skills and knowledge.
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Previous Employment
WHITE LION (VINTAGE INNS)
Manager
February 2007 – December 2007
I had full responsibility for the business including food and wet stocks, finance, taxation, training, cleaning, hygiene, recruitment and day to day managing of the pub. Trading £13,000 to £24,000 a week (ex VAT) 50% Split Food vs Drink Sales.
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TITCHFIELD MILL (VINTAGE INNS)
Deputy Manager / Holding Manager
November 2002 – February 2007
I had full responsibility for the business including food and wet stocks, finance, taxation, training, cleaning, hygiene, recruitment and day to day managing of the pub. Trading £20,000 to £47,000 a week (ex VAT) 70% Split Food vs 30% Drink Sales.
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RANDALLS VAULTIER
Relief Manager
January 2002 – November 2002
Working for a pub company in Jersey, covering manager's holiday in a variety of pub and pub/restaurants.
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HOSPITALITY PLUS
Assessor and IV
January 2001 – January 2002
As Internal Verifier I ensured assessors made consistent decisions across the hospitality sector, as well as having a workload of 35 candidates completing NVQ level 2 and 3 in all hospitality areas.
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HOSPITALITY PLUS
Assessor and IV
January 2001 – January 2002
As Internal Verifier I ensured assessors made consistent decisions across the hospitality sector, as well as having a workload of 35 candidates completing NVQ level 2 and 3 in all hospitality areas.
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HAPPY CHEESE (VINTAGE INNS)
Manager
December 1999 – January 2001
I had full responsibility for the business including food and wet stocks, finance, taxation, training, cleaning, hygiene, recruitment and day to day managing of the pub. Trading £8,000 to £24,000 a week (ex VAT) 60% Split Food vs 40% Drink Sales.
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