E X H I B I T O R S

Nationwide Building Society

Careers at Nationwide

Here at Nationwide we're proud to be a local Employer of Choice. Our Head Office in Swindon is jam packed with great facilities, which include free car parking, an on-site gym, hair salon, tennis courts, subsidised canteen and Starbucks - not to mention the hundreds of friendly and talented people who work here.

We like to keep our customers happy so we always put them first. But this doesn't mean we'll put you second. As one of the Sunday Times Top Ten Best Big Companies to work for we believe that if we look after our people, they'll naturally go the extra mile for our customers. Our culture has a big part to play too - with training and rewards to ensure you're happy and fulfilled at work.

We currently have vacancies within our Contact Centre, Retail Branch Network and Marketing department. For more information on the roles available and how you could fit in, why not come and have a chat with our team at the Swindon Evening Advertiser Jobs Fair at the DeVere Hotel on 14th February. If you can't make it visit www.nationwidecareers.co.uk or call 0800 169 0100.

Swindon Sure Start Partnership (SSSP)

Over the next three years the Swindon Sure Start Partnership will:

• Have 14 Children’s Centres in various locations in and around Swindon.
• Develop extended school provision in all infant, junior, primary and secondary schools in Swindon.
• Develop and continue to support existing childcare provision in Swindon.
• Continue to develop new childcare places in targeted areas in the town, to meet identified need.
• Enable a higher proportion of the early years workforce in full daycare, pre-schools and playgroups to be trained to Level 3 and above.

One focus for 2008/09 will be to develop the role of the graduate practitioner to enable them to achieve Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

The Sure Start Unit has developed this new role that recognises effective leadership of practice across a range of early years provision. To be an Early Years Professional the practitioner will need to be a graduate with the commitment to improve early years practice – making a real difference in childcare settings to young children and their families.

Introduction to Early Years Education, Childcare and Playwork Training

The aim of the Swindon Sure Start Partnership is to…

• Ensure that high quality training opportunities are accessible to childminders, early years education, childcare and playwork workers and volunteer workers and those who are interested in entering this sector
• Promote access to accredited training and qualifications offered to practitioners working in the Borough of Swindon
• Create opportunities for Continued Professional Development (CPD) so that existing sector workers, volunteers and persons considering entering the profession access essential training to update their skills and perform their jobs effectively
• Recruit more people into the childcare workforce through entry level and starter courses and qualifications
• Promote stronger leadership and management by offering better development and career progression

What qualifications do I need?

No qualifications are necessary to enter the childcare workforce on the first step of the ladder, but staff would be expected to train and qualify whilst working. This could be either an NVQ or a taught course at a place of learning e.g. a local college.

All staff employed or volunteering in any type of childcare setting must undergo an Enhanced Disclosure through the Criminal Records Bureau.

www.earlyyearschildcare.org

The Research Councils UK

Research Councils UK Shared Services Centre will create hundreds of job opportunities

Come April, job seekers in the Swindon area can look forward to something special; that’s when the Research Councils’ unique new Shared Services Centre will be opening its doors in the centre of the town. For people whose passion is to provide customer service of the highest quality, it promises to be the ideal environment in which to work.

Leading-edge support for leading-edge research

Britain’s 7 Research Councils ensure that the UK remains at the very forefront of research and innovation. In fact, they’re involved in everything from tackling superbugs to analysing the geoclimate of the Antarctic. By bringing together diverse disciplines such as human resources, finance, procurement, IT and eventually grants processing under one roof, the new Centre will provide the Councils with the broad spectrum of high quality support they require.

Welcoming a truly unique environment

The opening of the Shared Services Centre will not only be an important event for the Research Councils. It will be great news for people who like the idea of joining what could well be one of the most exciting work environments to come to Swindon for many years.

Specialists in the individual job areas concerned will, of course, be very welcome but so will those whose forte is building strong relationships with all kinds of clients. Taking real pride in your work will be the order of the day to offer the kind of back-up that keeps the Councils one step ahead.

Appealing prospects, attractive rewards

The prospect of shaping the Centre’s vision, values, culture - and ultimately its success - is one persuasive reason to join. But it certainly won’t be the only one. A wide range of flexible hours will make it easy to combine a rewarding job with home commitments. The equally broad spectrum of opportunities (from part-time roles to fast-track routes into team management), excellent training and convenient central Swindon location combine to make it the ideal destination for everyone who wants to build a bright future.

www.bepartofsomethingbetter.co.uk