A Welcoming and Structured Start

At Career Teachers part of Affinity Workforce, we know that a strong start sets the tone for success, and for Jade Hill, Secondary Recruitment Consultant with Career Teachers in Derby, that proved to be true from day one. As part of Learning at Work Week 2025, we caught up with Jade to reflect on her induction journey and the role learning played in helping her feel confident, capable, and connected in her new role.

 

“When I first joined Affinity, the induction experience was friendly and open,” Jade shares. “But it also had great structure, which gave me the time I needed to adapt to a new environment and get to grips with new systems.”

 

From clear timelines to plenty of space for questions, Jade felt supported throughout—a balance that made her transition smooth and positive.

 

Support from the L&D Team

Central to Jade’s experience was the support from Sophy and the Learning & Development team.

 

“Sophy is always on hand if you need her,” says Jade. “There’s no such thing as a silly question with her. She takes the time to explain things clearly and breaks everything down. Even a year in, I still reach out if I’m stuck—and she always responds!”

 

It’s this ongoing, approachable support that has helped Jade continue to grow beyond those initial weeks.

Affinity Link

Although Affinity Link was introduced a couple of months into her induction, it quickly became an essential tool for Jade.

 

“It’s great now that everything is in one place,” she explains. “I use it especially when I’m looking for mailers or suggestions for emails and contacts for schools.”

Having easy access to resources made learning on the job that much easier.

 

Highlights from the Journey

Jade particularly enjoyed being part of the 100 Day Club, where engaging sessions and follow-up presentations gave her practical tools she still refers to.

 

“I liked the cross-brand training too,” she says. “Each brand does things slightly differently, and it was great to pick up different approaches and adapt my own style.”

Surprises and Stand-Out Moments

What stood out the most? The investment in personal development.

“This is the first company I’ve worked for where I really feel they take your training seriously,” Jade says. “They genuinely want you to succeed—not just for the company, but for your own growth too.”

 

Putting Learning into Practice

The true test of a good induction is how well it prepares you for the real world of work. For Jade, the answer is a definite yes.

“There’s a lot of information to take in, but it all becomes useful,” she notes. “I use different bits every day—especially the sales planner and tracker.”

Advice for New Starters

Looking back, Jade is full of encouragement for new starters.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t get disheartened when a school says no,” she says. “Take a breath, reset, and go again.”

 

And if she could suggest one improvement? “More in-person days at the beginning—they’re so helpful for building relationships and settling in.”

Jade’s induction experience highlights the power of thoughtful onboarding, continuous learning, and human support. From helpful resources to a genuinely encouraging team, it’s clear that learning at work is embedded into Affinity’s culture—and it’s making a real difference.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with a company that really cares about your learning and development – join us today!

 

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