Placed within the individual Improvement Service programme teams, the seven graduates will provide a range of support and contribute to the successful delivery of a number of projects and business plan targets.
Upon completion of the programme, the graduates will be armed with a broad range of skills and will be given a range of structured, high-quality learning and personal development opportunities. Support from more experienced members of staff will also be offered through a mentoring process.Mirren Kelly, 22, is from Newcastle and is the longest-serving of the new graduates, having started in January 2010. Mirren studied Economics and Politics at the University of Edinburgh and is working predominately with the Business Support and Knowledge Management teams.
“Working for the IS has given me excellent opportunities to increase my skills,” said Mirren. “I've also developed contacts through conferences, events and workshops. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time working in diverse areas and on different projects.”
Joanna Anderson, 23, is from Edinburgh and graduated from the city’s university with a degree in Geography. She has been placed within the Shared Services team.
“This is a great opportunity and I’ve really enjoyed my first few weeks” said Joanna. “There’s a lot to take in but everyone at the Improvement Service has been very helpful and it’s been a great experience so far.”
Jamie Carver, 25, from Glasgow, graduated with a Masters in Urban Design from the Edinburgh College of Art and will be working within the Organisational Development team.
He said: “I’ve already learned a lot since starting. It’s good to be working within an office environment in local government and I’ve been on my travels a lot at different seminars and training events.”
22-year-old Alison Clyne, from Wick, is another graduate of the University of Edinburgh, where she gained a degree in Business Studies. Alison is working with the Improving Outcomes team.
She said: “I was really interested in the IS when I saw the graduate advertisement and it’s lived up to my expectations. I already feel part of the team and I’m working on a broad range of projects.”
History was the choice of degree for 22-year-old Jamie Kirk, from Edinburgh, who also studied at Edinburgh University and has become a member of the Improvement Service’s Knowledge Management team.
Jamie said: “With its aim to improve the efficiency, accountability and quality of services and so to confront the major challenges that face our society, this opportunity at the IS holds great potential and excitement.”
Tallulah Lines, a 22-year-old from Newcastle, is yet another Edinburgh University graduate and also studied History. Tallulah is working with the Customer First team.
“I’m really enjoying my new role,” said Tallulah. “There’s always something new to do and plenty of travelling. I’m looking forward to seeing where the role takes me.”
Ross Pattenden, originally from Loch Lomond, completes the seven-strong group of graduates. The 24-year-old has a degree in Geography from Glasgow University and had a post-grad in Urban and Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt.
He will be working with the Organisational Development team, focusing on the Planning Development Programme, and said: “I want to follow a career in planning, so this has been ideal for me. My degree is relevant to the work I’m doing and I’ll be able to develop a broad range of skills.”
The graduates will all be writing regular blogs on the Improvement Service’s Community of Practice platform.
