Rhian Emery

Business development advisor, Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology

1. IN A NUTSHELL, WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO?

We work with businesses to support and deliver their training needs via apprenticeship programmes in: Advanced Engineering/Manufacturing, Electrotechnical, Automotive, Leadership & Management, Business Support and Logistics. We also offer consultancy, advice and commercial courses in: Business Improvement Techniques, Fork Lift Truck training and Health & Safety courses to name but a few.

2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?

Four months

3. EXPLAIN A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR WORKING LIFE:

Visiting companies across the Marches region and working with them to support the upskilling of their work-force.

4. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?

I think there’s a lot of confusion about the new Apprenticeship Levy that came into place in 2017. A lot of companies are still unclear about what’s involved in taking on an apprentice and the funding available to them. My job is to offer advice and guidance and to support businesses when looking to recruit an apprentice.

5. AND WHAT ARE THE BIG OPPORTUNITIES?

I think that there’s a lot of opportunities not only for businesses to take advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy but for young people to gain first-hand experience in industry from a young age whilst being paid too; it’s a win-win situation.

6. HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF?

Motivation, encouragement and praise when it’s due.

7. WHAT WAS YOUR LAST MEETING ABOUT, HOW LONG DID IT LAST, AND WAS IT PRODUCTIVE?

It was with a small fastener company in Telford. The main discussion was surrounding the fact that a large proportion of the workforce were about to retire and what they could do to retain the skills within the company; an apprentice was an obvious solution. We discussed the most suitable programme, the format of the training and the costs involved.

8. HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM?

I don’t count my emails, although like everyone else, they seem to be never ending. At busy times, I think you have to focus on priorities; working through emails in order of urgency.

9. DO YOU ANSWER WORK CALLS OR EMAILS AT HOME? WHAT’S THE RIGHT WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

I’d like to say ‘no’ but that’d be a lie. I think a good work-life balance involves switching off from your work when you’re not there, surrounding yourselves by friends and family and doing the things that you enjoy most.

10. HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU?

Competent, reliable and a good team-player.

11. BREXIT – WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF WHAT IT’S ALL GOING TO MEAN? It’s really difficult to predict but I was really disappointed when I knew we’d be leaving.

12. HIGHLIGHTS OR LOWLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Travel and diversity of industries have definitely been a highlight. I think we can learn so much from other cultures and exposure to different tasks or working environments. On the flip side, lowlights can sometimes be those initial moments when you experience being outside of your comfort zone. Losing good team mates is always a low point too.

13. PET HATES?

Rudeness, especially when drivers don’t say ‘thank you’ if you’re letting them out of a junction or into a lane etc.

14. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“Failure is never quite so frightening as regret”.

15. HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I love being with friends and family. I like the outdoors, camping, photography and being with my dog hiking somewhere. Food and drink is always a favourite pastime too.

16. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE SHROPSHIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY? Having lived in Yorkshire for the past 20 years, I’m still fairly new to the area but I can already see that Shropshire has an enthusiastic and friendly community.

17. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. That I’ve carried out a pregnancy diagnosis on a cow – she was!

18. YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? This is hard… 

Book - ‘The Buggatti Queen’ by Miranda Seymour, it’s about Hellé Nice, a former stripper and dancer who won the world’s first Grand Prix for women in Monthéry in 1929. 

Film - ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ it’s all about friendship and determination. 

CD - this so difficult to pick as I love listening to music, so I’m just going to go with what I’m currently listening to ‘Keep the Village Alive’ by The Stereophonics, I saw them live a few months ago and they were awesome!

19. YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE?

Hugh Jackman, Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Ga-Ga and Tom Hardy

20. WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM?

I think I’d do something that would get everyone to talk and interact so . . .

I’d start with a cocktail making session and then I’d serve lots of different Tapas dishes, (something for everyone), followed by a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit and marshmallows for dessert.