My name is Laura Mason and I am one of the two HR Managers at VCA. I have worked in HR over the past 10 years, in both the private and public sector. I spent two of my HR years, working in the UAE and joined the Civil Service upon my return to the UK.
I am responsible for Recruitment, Pay & Award, Learning and Development. I am also the HR Business Partner for VCA’s UK and Overseas Operations, Corporate Affairs and Dangerous Goods departments.
I love my role as HR Manager as no two days are ever the same and it involves a variety of tasks – for example, this week I am interviewing for a role within our Dangerous Goods directorate, facilitating a secondment opportunity, completing a data return for the central Pay & Reward team at DfTC and virtually meeting with department managers in the USA, to discuss all HR topics.
My role can be challenging but at the same time, very rewarding. Travel is included as part of the role, either to other VCA offices or agencies within DfT. The rest of my working time is spent at the Headquarters in Bristol, with ad-hoc working days from home.
The Department creates many opportunities for collaborative working with my colleagues in other agencies. I really enjoy this aspect of my role, as it creates consistency and the ability to share best practice.
VCA really encourages and supports continuous professional development, which has given me the opportunity to develop my professional qualifications and my soft skills. In the past year I’ve started my CIPD Level 5 and attended Job Evaluation training, feedback training and various courses with ACAS.
There are many, really interesting and exciting aspects of The Department for Transport and It really is a great place to work.