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A week in the life of… an employer engagement officer
Nikki Kaur’s job involves helping to connect customers of housing association WHG, as well as people in the wider community, with employment opportunities. She talks through her week
Monday
I spent the morning preparing for a training session we will run tomorrow via Zoom.
When the pandemic started we had to quickly change the way we supported our customers. From being a face-to-face service, we had to look at how we could offer training virtually. Customers have really embraced the change and have continued to interact as they would have done in a training room.
In ‘normal’ circumstances we would be limited to how many customers we see at a time due to room capacity. The Zoom platform means we can now run courses for up to 100 participants at once.
Tuesday
I went to the office this morning. It felt strange to be back as the place is usually bustling. William, from the facilities department, came out to induct me on the new health and safety procedures.
I had a brief catch-up with colleagues from other departments. It felt wonderful to be able to have some adult social interaction. I then made my way to our one-on-one interview room. After a brief look at my notes to make sure I had everything, the Zoom class started.
We had 42 participants booked in, including referrals received from the local job centre. The session was an astounding success and we had some high-calibre candidates attend.
Once the Zoom call finished, I emailed the presentation and an application form to all attendees.
Wednesday
WHG kindly provided us with an IT kit to make working from home easier, for which I am truly grateful. I was given an office chair, computer monitor, a keyboard and even a pop-up cardboard desk that I can set up anywhere around the house.
I set up my desk and checked my emails. I received an email from Walsall FC regarding its traineeship programme and how we can work with them. I linked up with our social value co-ordinator and gave them a call. We found plenty of scope to work together, from joint recruitment drives to sourcing work experience placements via our social value platform.
Thursday
Today I was at the office again for a one-to-one meeting with my manager. Although we have been seeing each other at weekly Zoom meetings, this was the first time I’d seen her in person for about four months. It was great to meet up with her and a few other colleagues – it brought a sense of normality.
We went to a meeting room and spent two hours discussing everything, from how I’ve been feeling working from home to future plans within the organisation. I left the building totally invigorated and full of positive energy.
Friday
I took a call from a customer who I had forwarded for an interview at a business in Wolverhampton along with her son, who had also applied for a position.
She had been unemployed for three months and lost her job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her son had never worked but had just completed a warehousing level three qualification.
The customer called to say that both of them had been offered a job. What a great way to end the week!
Do you know an outstanding professional who deserves to be featured? Email jess.mccabe@insidehousing.co.uk with your suggestions
A week in the life series
Our ‘A week in the life’ series features housing professionals talking through what they do in their job on a day-to-day basis.
Find out about the different challenges housing workers in a variety of roles face in a given week.
We aim to feature staff from housing associations, ALMOs, local authorities and more.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
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