PLANit Global Ltd

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

I keep all sorts of records for the company. I keep financial records and put all the payments we make, and monies we receive into the company, onto an accounting software programme. I then make sure this matches what the bank statements say. I also make sure everyone gets paid (the right amount!) on payday. This means most of my time is spent sat at a desk, inputting information and checking that documents are correct. I also ensure we have the correct policies and guidelines in place to help everyone stay within government rules and regulations when they are doing their jobs. This part of the role involves online research and writing documents that are both up-to-date and useful for the staff. To start every day, I always check my 'to-do' list and make sure I have written down all the tasks that need doing on that date.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

I worked in a bank when I left school. I didn't like this very much - I liked the people but found it hard to do maths while a queue of customers were looking at me. I then trained as a teacher and taught for 5 years in a primary school. I wanted to try something new so started at Wolverhampton Arts + Museums service, working mainly in the art gallery. Sometimes I went into schools and taught art projects and other times I was showing teachers how to use the Art Gallery as an inspiration for a project in school. I loved working there! But cutbacks meant I had to find another job elsewhere and got an admin job in an office.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I was asked to do my present job as I was already doing the same role part-time within another company nearby. The company were looking for someone with experience of accurate record keeping and organisation skills and my previous jobs showed that I had these skills.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I like making sure that records are kept accurately. I like things to be accurate and in order. Working in an office and with a team of people of all ages is important to me. I couldn't just work from home and not meet lots of people on a daily basis. The people I work with all support each other and knowing that there is someone there to ask if I'm unsure of something, or who I can support in return, is brilliant. Knowing I am a valued member of a team is very important and being in an office means I can take part in discussions about improvements to what we do and be part of the team.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

As part of a small team I look for training myself and make sure I'm up-to-date with the latest employment laws through things like online courses. I research the government information and sign up for their newsletters to ensure everything is up-to-date.

What skills are required to do your job?

Patience and accuracy. I need to check things carefully - without getting bored! Creating checklists to make sure everything is completed accurately helps all the people I work with.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

I am lucky as my employer was able to see that I could do the job without having to check if I had specific qualifications before deciding to employ me. My NVQ Level 3 Line Management qualification that I gained while I was at the Arts+Museum service has been invaluable though. I got this qualification in my spare time whilst working full-time at the gallery.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Being organised. Good time management - to make sure jobs are done on time. Adaptability - when you work in a small team you have to be prepared to do anything to help out.

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

I am responsible for the overall design and look of PLANit Global

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

Graphic Designer at the BBC in Birmingham

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

The route I took was by going to University to get a Degree in Graphic Design and putting together a portfolio that demonstrated technical and design skills. A Degree is not absolutely vital but the portfolio is!

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

The people and the product. The people are committed and easy to work with, and the product will give young people information, choices and direction in their future careers.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

None at the moment.

What skills are required to do your job?

Creative design skills, ideas generation, technical skills with Design software. Good communication skills, both speaking and listening. Able to work in teams or independently. Not too sensitive as not everyone will like what you do!

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

No role specific qualification

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

In my creative role my job is create digital assets whether they are 3D renders or 2D promotional designs etc. I use a mix of 2D and 3D softwares such as the Adobe creative suite and the Maxon suite to create the artwork.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

This is my first job. As a designer within PLANit global I get many opportunities to work with plenty of different briefs to create artwork and this really helps me develop my abilities and also broaden my CV.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I started in a 5 hour a week work placement in my sixth form and after two years I went through a short interviewing process where my portfolio was accessed to see if my artwork and abilities meet the standard of the company and I was able to have a career within the company.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Firstly, the amount of work I create allows me to gain plenty of new skills and develop my current abilties. Secondly, the ethics of the company and the many uses of the company for everyone makes it a very enjoyable project as you can truly see how the business can help people. Finally, I have great peers that teach me about the working life whether I am learning new creative skills from the creative director and development team or I am learning about how businesses function function from HR people or the CEOs.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I get to learn from my direct peer, which is the creative director, about broadening my abilities in design and venturing into new softwares. I have learned more about video editing, 3D rendering and 2D graphics as a whole because I am able to be tutored by my peer when its needed.

What skills are required to do your job?

There are a range of aesthetic designs you must be able to create such as edited videos, 3D animations, 2D artwork for promotional use or inside the business, so you must have a broad and indepth sense of multiple digital softwares mainly within the Adobe creative suite but also to include prototyping and 3d design softwares.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

As a creative role some businesses can directly employ you from a portfolio review and interview as that truly shows how good of a designer you are, but some companies especially bigger companies will ask university graduates with a degree in the field before even looking into your portfolio.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

The first top skill would be to able to problem solve, the second would be to be able to work in a group and finally having a broad sense of creative programs such as the adobe and maxon creatives suites.

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

My role is to help the organisations on our platform maximise the benefits of being part of PLANit Global by making sure their profiles are up to date. Ensuring good content on the website is key to the success of PLANit Global as this is how young people will find out about the variety of jobs and careers that are out there.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

No, I've had several jobs. I worked in my family bakery business as a teenager, I've worked in the travel industry, the paper trade, for a national charity and now here at PLANit Global! I've gained useful transferable skills in all these jobs which help me to do my job today. I've also done some volunteering both through work and in my spare time.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I met with the CEO and then some of the other senior members of the company, showing them my CV and describing my previous roles and they agreed to take me on!

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

It's a relaxed and friendly place to work, yet the team are really focused, positive, passionate and proud of the work we do. We all share the belief that young people should have better access to information about local careers and jobs. We offer something unique to businesses, schools and young people and it's exciting to play a part in that. I get to meet lots of people and visit different places - literally no two days are the same.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I'm learning on the job, which is really the best way to learn a job unless your role requires specialist skills. We all help each other out and if I need to know something I ask a colleague. In previous jobs I've attended short training courses in time management, sales, first aid, safeguarding, working with young people and bid writing.

What skills are required to do your job?

Good communication skills - both written and verbal Time management - being organised Showing initiative - being pro-active, making decisions Relationship building - working effectively with people in my team and with customers IT literate - I use basic office packages such as outlook, excell, word, internet, social media on a daily basis. A positive attitude.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

No because the skills needed to do my job are all "soft skills" which are learnt through work experience. I personally learn a lot by observing how other people work, which I then use to generate my own ideas and working style.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Good Communication Skills Ability to build good customer relations Ability to come up with ideas

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

I am mainly working on the planitglobal website you're working on right now. I work with other developers in a team and try to make our product a bit better every development cycle. My job involves sitting behind the computer a lot, but it's quite fun if you're interested in programming. Some planning is also part of my job, we need to allocate our resources wisely so we can deliver new features on time, this is mostly done in discussion with the other team members.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

This is my first real Job, but I've done other jobs but they either not related to programming, most of my experience has come from internships.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I did a work placement at PLANit Global. For a duration of 20 weeks I worked for PLANit Global as a developer, working on the first iterations of the platform and learning about the goal PLANit Global had in mind. After the 20 weeks I got offered a job and promotion to lead developer and thus I started my real job at PLANit Global.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

The great thing about my job is that the features I built are used by people everyday. Working with a team is also a big part to why this job is so much fun, there is always someone in the office to discuss your ideas with you and converse over interesting topics regarding the website. I love programming things in my free time, so it doesn't really feel like a 'job' as much as some jobs are, so it think it's great.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I generally just train myself through practicing and reading up about new things I don't quite understand yet.

What skills are required to do your job?

The most important are discipline and a lot of knowledge and staying alerted to new things.You constantly have to keep learning and you need to be a good team-player to be successful.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

I do not require any role specific qualifications for my role but you can if you want too. There are some qualifications related to my job role which you feel may help you on your career journey.

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

I manage the 3D Galaxy application at PLANit Global, as well as helping out with the orbit and very occasionally helping out with the website development. I add new features and maintain existing features in the planit global galaxy application. I use Unity 3D and C# to develop the galaxy and export the galaxy as a webgl project so it can be used on the website.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

This was not my first job. I started working for a company called Edlounge when I was 18. I worked there and worked at their sister company Edarcade for 2 years. I left the company and became a self-employed game developer. Working for myself gave me the freedom to work on my own games and projects and work with new/upcoming companies developing their applications/games.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

To get my job, I first had two years experience in a previous job. I created a portfolio website and a CV which I submitted to PLANit Global. After a couple of meetings PLANit deemed me to be the right person for the job.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I really like the freedom in being a developer at PLANit. I always get a say in developing new parts of the product and I'm treated like a team member rather than a code monkey. As a developer, I only need to use my laptop for work, so it doesn't matter if I work at home/in office or what hours I choose to work as long as the work is being completed on time!

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I did not receive any training for my role. I am mostly self-taught.

What skills are required to do your job?

General design and development skills are necessary. Knowing at least 1 game engine in depth and knowing the programming language necessary for that game language is vital. Examples include Unity3D and C#, or Unreal Engine and C++.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

Not particularly, experience is just as handy. Good GSCEs, A-levels and/or a degree in Computer Science, Game Design and Development or any other relevant field may be very helpful!

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

My role is very varied and covers all aspects of the business. with my business partner we are responsible for the overall performance of the business, the strategy and business development. On a day to day basis I talk to businesses to bring them onto our platform and to schools to support their students with employer led careers information. I also look after the finances and governance of the business. I support the global development and have a focus for developing our European operations

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

No, originally I am a teacher. When I left teaching I had my own business for a few years before going to work for HRH The Prince of Wales looking after the West Midlands region for his Charity Business in the Community.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I had to get a teaching degree (B.Ed) than apply for jobs and attend interviews at schools.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

The knowledge that we are making a difference to young people and to businesses. I meet many different people and run a small but talented team here at PLANit Global.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

None specifically but I bring my experience from running two regional teams and multi million operations to the business and list of corporate experience with big businesses.

What skills are required to do your job?

Management skills to manage people and manage different functions (E.g.IT) Important to have a drive and passion for what you do. Be able to translate to the team members to always strive to do the best. Ability to look at the next steps and plan for eventualities.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

I don't but it would be helpful to have management experience/qualification or a finance qualification. Really, experience is what you bring to any role and collecting experience in different roles has given me the skills I need for my current role.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Team Work Vision Communication

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

I promote PLANit Global to local businesses, education establishments and communities. I manage the communications for PLANit Global, I write the newsletters for customers and prospective businesses and schools both nationally and internationally. I manage and co-ordinate all PLANit Global business events and I also manage the content across all Social Media channels, developing marketing materials to help generate sales leads. I research and identify potential clients, generating, negotiating and closing sales opportunities. I help to co-ordinate exhibition events liaising with schools and external businesses- attending events promoting the business. I write and submit awards on behalf of the business to help build the reputation of PLANit Global. It’s important that I build, maintain and generate effective working relations with the media at local, national and international levels to help generate positive stories that raise the profile and enhance PLANit Global reputation globally.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

No, this is not my first job. I have explored several different career paths including: fashion, retail, administration, being a personal assistant and office trainer.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I went through an interview process with the co-founders of PLANit Global.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I love that PLANit Global allows young people to explore local work opportunities available to them. PLANit Global is a family focused company, the team is supportive of its staff members and their lives outside of work, which is refreshing. I enjoy meeting new people while networking and I love going into schools inpiring students to think about all career options.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

PLANit Global offers helpful reading materials and demonstration videos. We also do practice phone sessions selling to other team members to help gain confidence.

What skills are required to do your job?

You need to have confidence with an energetic and positive attitude You need to be able to communicate both verbally and in written format You need to have excellent planning and organising skills You need to be brave and enthusiastic in approaching new companies

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

It is helpful to be qualified in sales, communications or marketing as well as have an understanding of using social media.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Communication Skills, Organisational Skills and Problem Solving Skills!

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

My role is to work with businesses and investors from overseas to develop the PLANit Global brand and encourage more countries and regions to develop PLANit Global so that the platform becomes as populated as possible with businesses and job roles from around the globe. I meet with businesses and individuals and try to encourage them to inspire their next generation of employee

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

This was not my first job, I started my working career as an engineering apprentice at NEI Thompson. I worked in a petrol station I worked on construction sites. I started my first business at 20 years old and have never looked back

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I was a founder of this business, so I came up with the idea with my business partners and we worked on it and then brought in a team of people to take the idea and develop it and take it to market.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

PLANit Global is a business that is striving to inspire and engage the next generation of our workforce and to help them make informed decisions about the careers that they want to follow during their working lives. We get to meet with really interesting people from all over the globe and we get to help shape the future of our most important asset... Our people! What could be better or more fulfilling than that?

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I receive various training in my role. For me every day is a school day and I always have something to learn from the many people I meet. As far as formal training is concerned, I look for courses and opportunities that I think will help me to realise my goal of developing the most innovative and engaging careers platform that has been see in the UK and beyond

What skills are required to do your job?

My role really requires entrepreneurial skills and a flair for finding gaps in current provision which allow us to develop products that can fill them and make what already exists better or more relevant for the groups using them. This means that you have to be a brave individual who is not worried about challenging perceptions and opinions that may be deep rooted. You also need to be flexible and open to criticism (hopefully constructive)

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

No I do not require any role specific qualifications - just experience! It is always good to be happy and positive with everyone you meet and try to offer solutions... not bring problems.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Positive attitude Pleasant Approachable

Describe what you do in your job. What is a typical day like?

My job includes talking with people and highlighting the benefits of PLANit Global to their business or school. I research local companies and make arrangements to meet with them to see if we can work together. I help the team co-ordinate events and feedback new ideas to the product development team to improve our website/product for our customers and users. I have targets to achieve for the business and find creative ways of sourcing new leads, either via events, networking or LinkedIn.

Was this your first job? What other jobs or work experience have you had?

No this is not my first job, I have previously worked as an Admin Apprentice, Admin Assistant to Directors, Qualification Writer, Compliance Manager and Sales Executive.

What process did you have to follow to get your job?

I saw a post for a Business Development role on the PLANit Global website, applied and sat an interview with the Co-Founders of PLANit Global.

What is great about your job? What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I like being able to talk and connect professionally with people from all sector areas and geographically locations.

What training do you get at work to help you do your job role?

I have received training in being able to sell different products for the organisation and also allowed the opportunity to study Events Management to support my role in attending careers events with Heather.

What skills are required to do your job?

I think in all sales and business development role, you need to be confident and friendly with people. You need to hold an understanding of what your customers needs are and how you can help them. You also need good communication skills, with great enthusiasm and a desire to meet targets.

What role-specific qualifications do you think are needed to do your job?

No, however it would be useful if you have a sales, marketing or events qualification.

Name the top three skills needed for your job

Friendly, organised and confident