A GRADUATE recruitment firm is celebrating after guiding a former York university student to success with a one of the UK’s largest public transport providers.
Gradvert, which works with a number of businesses in the transport and logistics sector, helped to secure graduate Rachel Beckett a role with Go-Ahead. The 25-year-old has gone on to be named as Rising Star of the Year, in the Freight Transport Association (FTA) everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards, which recognises talented people under the age of 30, and who judges believe will blaze a trail across the industry.
Rachel, a coaching team leader at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, was headhunted by Gradvert and supported through an application process to secure a place in the 2014 cohort for Go-Ahead management scheme in bus operations. Rachel won a place on the Group Management Scheme and was based at Brighton and Hove.
Michaela Reaney, managing director of Gradvert, said: “The fantastic progress made by Rachel since graduating is testament to her hard work and commitment, and we are very proud to have played a role in her career to date.
“Go-Ahead is a business that fast-tracks talent; one that works with us to bring in highly-prized graduates and works tirelessly with them to ensure they go on to make a major contribution to their business. They will be rightly thrilled to see this recognised too.”
“Rachel is passionate about the community and has worked on a number of initiatives to engage the local people in Brighton and Hove. One of the many areas she has focused on is encouraging more women into the industry, so her impact goes way beyond Go-Ahead – she is helping to change the whole industry and that is the sign of someone who will go far.”
Leading figures from the UK transport and logistics industry were in attendance ate the 2016 FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards, with winners having been chosen by a panel of industry experts. The FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards were launched nine years ago to raise awareness of the varied and rewarding careers that the transport and logistics sector offers, and aim to increase the number of women considering it as a career choice.
Rachel said: “To win this award is an incredible honour. It’s great to see the progress I have made recognised in this way and I’m really proud to be flying the flag for my employer too.
“The support of Gradvert was critical in helping me to secure this role, and I owe thanks to Go-Ahead for being such a supportive employer and for giving me the opportunity to shine.”
The management training programme, which was put in place by Go-Ahead with the support of Gradvert, covers customer service, commercial, operations, finance, engineering as well as bus driving itself.
The Gradvert team work a range of businesses in the transport and logistics field, including organisers of the event, the FTA.