Nirvana Murray, resourcing and compliance specialist

Nirvana joined VGC as an apprentice when she left school in 2011. She is now a valued member of the group services team.

During her apprenticeship, Nirvana achieved her level 2 Business and administration NVQ after eight months, far earlier than is usual, and won a Hillingdon Training award for outstanding achievement. After she accepted a post at VGC as an administration assistant, she went on to achieve her level 3 NVQ.

She was promoted to passes co-ordinator in 2012. In this key role, she managed the considerable administration requirements for airside passes for all staff at Heathrow and Gatwick.

After returning from maternity leave, Nirvana became an HR assistant. She ensured members of the workforce met all the requirements to work on key civil engineering projects. She also managed VGC’s workers on London Underground.

Resourcing and compliance specialist

At the start of 2020, following some reorganisation, Nirvana was promoted to the new role of resourcing and compliance specialist.

The compliance part of the role is very similar to her previous HR assistant role. She processes job applications, checking references and the right to work in the UK. She also ensuring workers’ payroll is correct. A key part of her job includes assessing whether there are any risks of modern slavery, something all VGC’s teams work hard to stamp out.

In addition, as a resourcer, she places job adverts and matches workers with the right roles for their skillset to meet client requirements. She works on VGC’s projects in the south, which include HS2, smart motorways and other civils projects.

“I really enjoy my job”

Nirvana said: “I was very pleased to get the apprenticeship, and I didn’t realise it would lead to such a responsible permanent role.

“I took nine months out on maternity leave when my daughter, Honey-Bleu, was born, and I now work four days a week. When she starts school, I will return full-time. It is convenient that the office is near my home; working locally does make things easier.

“I really enjoy my job. There’s a lot of variety, and I like working with my colleagues who are very supportive. The labour managers are very grateful when we help them out.”

Ciara Pryce, VGC chief operating officer, said: “Nirvana has really shown how hard work pays off; she is a great example of a young person taking advantage of all the benefits an apprenticeship can offer.”

As a member of The 5% Club, we commit to apprenticeships and other training opportunities. Apprenticeship schemes provide valuable training opportunities and career direction for new entrants into the construction industry, and offer hands-on experience, guidance and lifelong qualifications.