Meet Faye. Her career is really taking off at vehicle exteriors innovator Magna Exteriors, which has a plant in Sunderland.
Here’s her story…
Tell us about your career journey
At school, I didn’t really have any type of aspiration to follow any specific career path. I went to college but just lasted a week and dropped out. I was then on Job Seeker’s Allowance for a while and went on some employability courses, and got a job in a call centre, where I worked for about a year.
I went travelling and after I returned to the North East, I worked in a few different jobs in hospitality and in another call centre. But all the while I was thinking that I wanted to do something different, and to be part of something bigger. It was then that I found out about some administration jobs that were going at Magna Exteriors, in the HR department, so I put my name forward.
So what happened then?
I got a temporary job at Magna Exteriors that was just meant to last two weeks, but I started getting more and more responsibility, and was taken on full time! I was willing to try new things and the more I got involved, the more satisfaction I got out of it, which spurred me on to develop my career.
At the start I was doing basic administration, but after around a year I started doing things like employee interviews and inductions, and I am now involved in payroll, business planning and strategy.
I am also studying for a Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) Level Three Apprenticeship at Sunderland College, so I will have a qualification in HR when I complete that!
What is it like to work for a manufacturing company?
The manufacturing industry is very fast paced, it’s very exciting – you always have to be on your toes. I have ADHD, so I need to have a constant flow of tasks to work on.
Why do you think advanced manufacturing is a good career for people in South Tyneside?
Manufacturing is at the heart of so many jobs in the North East and I feel proud to be part of something that has such a massive effect on the success of South Tyneside and the region.
Plus, advanced manufacturing can take you anywhere… it opens so many doors!
There’s a constant opportunity for self-improvement, because the industry evolves so quickly. In advanced manufacturing, you can go further than you ever thought possible. You can really develop yourself.
Faye is making it. You can too.
Click here for more information on advanced manufacturing careers, the support on offer and the careers events that are coming up!
