Chris Parker
HR Shared Services Team Leader
About Chris
Tell us about your journey with Bradford College?
I joined Bradford College in 2021 as a Senior HR Administrator and thanks to the support and commitment to my development by our Head of HR, was able to progress up to HR Shared Services Team Leader. I’ve since been supported through my CIPD Level 5 in HR Management and had the opportunity to get involved in a number of projects. Since joining the college, I have worked hard with other colleagues in the HR team to continually improve the service we provide to our workforce, which directly impacts on our mission to work together to transform lives
· What does a typical working day at Bradford College look for you?
There is no such thing as a “typical day” at Bradford College. Working as part of an organisation that is so focused on delivering the best possible outcome for our students often means we face something new every day. This is both challenging and exciting to be part of and I am constantly inspired by my colleagues across the college by the commitment from everyone to always improve what we do
· How did you first get into your role and industry? Where did you start out?
Completely by accident! I was 19 and really had no idea what I wanted to do. Back then, I was working in a different industry altogether but not enjoying it, so began to look elsewhere. I applied for a role with civil service jobs as an Admin Assistant as even then, I was aware of the reputation that public sector organisations had for development and progression opportunities and it just so happened that I ended up working in People Services for the Ministry of Justice. Within 6 months, I was able to progress from Admin Assistant to Admin Officer. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to build up 15 years’ experience in HR across multiple public and private sector organisations with a particular focus on the healthcare and education sectors.
· What initially made you want to work within the sector?
I love being able to apply my HR knowledge and skills to an organisation that really makes a difference to people’s lives. I don’t think I could ever go back to working within the private sector now, where the goal is mostly to make profit. Whilst there will always be a financial element to what we do, it is not the primary focus of the college. I find it very rewarding to work as part of an organisation so committed to getting the best possible outcomes for our students.
· How has Bradford College helped you develop and progress within your role?
Without the support from the college, I’m not sure I would have ever managed to make the next step into HR management. Only with the support from my line manager, my other colleagues in the HR team and the wider college management have I been able to make that jump and do it well. The support I have had has constantly pushed me to improve my own skills and the service that my team provide to our workforce, gaining invaluable knowledge that I will take forward in my HR career.
· What do you enjoy most about your role and working at Bradford College?
I love the feeling we get that every staff member is here ultimately for one reason – to transform the lives our of students and open doors for the rest of their lives. Despite the different challenges we all have within our roles, there is a real feeling of commitment to students from our whole workforce.
· How do you feel Bradford College promotes diversity in the workplace?
Bradford is an incredibly diverse city – how better can we expect to meet the needs of our students and our local area if that isn’t reflected in our workforce. We have made a commitment to be a truly inclusive college our number 1 strategic objective. Throughout the college, there is a real feeling of embracing and celebrating each other’s diversity, which is celebrated in events we have held for Black History Month, LGBTQ+ Pride Month and attending our local Bradford Pride event, as well as our staff policy to support colleges who observe a variety of religious festivals and celebrations.
· How would you describe working at Bradford College to someone looking at applying for a role with us?
An adventure! You will never be bored working at Bradford College, no matter what your role, there is always something to get involved in.
· What would your advice be to someone looking to move into the sector?
I don’t think there’s anything that can prepare anyone for working in education. In my experience, it’s best to join the education sector with no expectations. It’s easy to make assumptions based on how the sector has been portrayed in the media, particularly over the last few years. It is not without its challenges, but is still the most rewarding environment I’ve worked in.