Collaboration is key to graduate success, say ISS
Facilities management giant, ISS, believes that collaboration and support is the best way for graduates to assist and develop their careers.
ISS, a global leader in facilities management, believe it is through collaboration between graduates and experienced members of their team, that will lead to a successful future. The organisation, which specialises in a range of facilities management services, from catering and cleaning to front of house and security, thinks that support networks they establish between graduates and between graduates and experienced members of staff breeds a solid base for graduates to launch their careers from.
Currently looking to fill their Management Trainee programme and EMEA Management Trainee programme, ISS hopes that graduates will be able to support each other through the demanding challenges of management and facilities management.
A graduate on the scheme, Joely Thomas, spoke about the challenges she had faced since joining ISS. Thomas said "Since joining, I have had a wide range of experiences, including project management, operational experience at all different levels, finance, administration, right to work status and HR. Based in London, I have ben fortunate to have travelled across the UK and been involved in many projects. All of which have helped me to understand how important team work is to keep the contract running successfully".
Thomas added "I have been lucky enough to gain a wide range of experience on this contract, where no two days are the same. My main projects have included mobilising and running a small building and recruitment for the London sites. Both of these have been challenging to say the least, however, the experience is going to be a great base to my future in facilities management or any other industry for that matter".
Another graduate on the Management Trainee programme, Andrew Cracknell, believes that the support networks set up are key to helping everyone achieve their potential. Cracknell said "Although we are paired with a specific graduate buddy from the previous year's intake, all of the graduates make themselves available to share experiences and join in discussions. This is something ISS strongly believes in and even provides a graduate portal to help all graduates located across the UK communicate easier".
"In essence, we have become another fixed point for each other. ISS has also brought us together for team building exercises on several occasions where we have been able to build our relationships and bond as a group".
Joely Thomas also said "It has recently dawned on me just how important my manager and mentor have been to me throughout this time. Looking back, I know realise how much support I needed to do the job properly".
"My manager has given so much of his time to help me adapt and I have learned a lot about facilities management from him. At the same time, ISS gave me a mentor, a very senior manager from another part of the business, who is there to help me think more about my development and my style. This has been very effective for me as it allows me to think about the impact of my actions and what I need to do to keep developing".
By James Howell
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