“I would advise anyone considering the NECS100 to go for it – it’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m really happy. I feel like NECS has a social purpose and that I am making a contribution to work which matters and better outcomes for patients overall.”
Charlotte Coffield joined NECS in January 2022 after applying to the NECS100 programme. She originally trained as a secondary school Science teacher, before opting for a career change.
“I originally went to Leeds University in 2007 to study a BSc in Neuroscience, but I realised it wasn’t for me as I didn’t want to do lab-based work. So, I went to Durham University to do my teacher training PGCE and became a secondary-level Science teacher.
“I taught in schools for over ten years, but I still maintained a really strong interest in finance. Eventually I decided I wanted a career change to specialise in numbers – and then I saw the NECS100 programme advertised on LinkedIn. I read into NECS and felt that the core values at the heart of the company really resonated with me; I also saw there was a lot of good development opportunities on offer which would support me as a career changer – so I applied quickly and was delighted when I was accepted.
“I started as a Graduate Project Support Officer in the Finance team in January 2022 and have been with NECS coming up a year. To date, I have spent time in financial management, accounting and most recently in Continuing Health Care which works with a range of partners to offer high-quality Continuing Healthcare, Funded Nursing Care and Complex Care services, ensuring statutory guidance is met and patients get the best outcomes possible.
“With my previous work experience, I thought I had a lot of transferable skills to bring with me to NECS, including communication, teamwork, the ability to work to deadlines and prioritise, but I have been really pleased about the range of training on offer. I have undertaken training courses in several areas such as leadership, project management, continuous improvement and health and wellbeing. I’m also currently doing Leadership for All which has been really valuable.
“Ultimately NECS has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have got elsewhere to make a change and gain further skills and accreditation. I’m also studying for the CIMA qualification to gain Chartered Accountant status.
“Another highlight for me has been becoming one of the NECS Health and Wellbeing Champions. It started when I set up a step challenge within my team and has led to me being trained to help support others in need by signposting them to appropriate services.
“Overall, I would advise anyone considering the NECS100 to go for it – it’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m really happy. We all spend a lot of time at work and I am now in a career where I am happy and fulfilled, the people around me have made that happen. I feel like NECS has a social purpose and that I am making a contribution to work which matters and better outcomes for patients overall.”