At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead recruitment and development for early career professionals like graduates and apprentices.
- Company: Join Forterra, a top manufacturer of building products with a commitment to safety and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, life assurance, gym benefits, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape the future of talent while working in a supportive and engaging environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in early careers or talent development is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: This role offers opportunities for personal development and progression within a reputable company.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 45000 £ per year.
Northampton/Midlands £40,000 - £45,000 per annum, depending on experience + Company Car Permanent, Full Time (Monday – Friday; 40 hours per week)
We’re looking for a passionate and driven People Development Specialist: Early Careers to join our People Development team. This is a key role in shaping the next generation of talent by managing and developing our early career professionals, including graduates and apprentices.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of People Development, you will be at the forefront of Forterra’s early careers strategy—leading the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of early talent. Your role will directly impact our talent pipeline and play a key part in ensuring we provide engaging, high-quality development experiences.
What you’ll be doing:
- Recruitment & Onboarding: Design and support recruitment strategies, facilitate assessment centres, and lead our corporate induction programme.
- Talent Development: Manage apprenticeship, graduate, and internship journeys, ensuring high engagement and progression from start to finish.
- Apprenticeship Levy: Oversee the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) Levy and work closely with Finance to ensure effective utilisation.
- Learning Programs: Develop tailored learning experiences and development pathways that reflect our business goals and values.
- Data & Reporting: Maintain accurate L&D records, provide meaningful reports, and support LMS updates and tracking.
About You:
- Proven experience in early careers, talent development or L&D.
- Strong understanding of apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and associated funding (including the DAS Levy).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work both independently and collaboratively.
- A proactive, organised, and people-focused approach.
What We Can Offer You:
- Generous holiday allowance – 27 days per annum plus bank holidays
- Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution
- Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Service Awards
- Sharesave Scheme eligibility
- Holiday Exchange Scheme
- Financial Wellbeing Program
- Personal development and opportunities for progression
- Company Annual Bonus Scheme
We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognisable brands including Thermalite block, Bison Precast and the iconic London Brick. Our complete product range comprises of clay bricks, aircrete blocks, aggregate blocks, precast concrete, flooring products, permeable paving and chimney, roofing, and flue systems. Forterra’s purpose is to build lasting legacies, manufacturing a range of products from the ground up to support customers with their construction projects. We are proud to be at the forefront of the industries’ safety standards and are committed to achieving zero harm in our workplaces.
People Development Specialist - Early Careers employer: Forterra Building Products Limited
Contact Detail:
Forterra Building Products Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Development Specialist - Early Careers
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in early careers development and talent management. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of people development, especially those who focus on early careers. Attend relevant workshops or webinars to build connections and gain insights that could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed early career programmes or initiatives in the past. Highlight your achievements and the impact they had on talent development within your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Forterra's values and mission thoroughly. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs, particularly in relation to developing future talent and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
We think you need these skills to ace People Development Specialist - Early Careers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in early careers, talent development, and any specific projects you've managed. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for developing early talent. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities of the role, such as recruitment strategies or managing apprenticeship programmes.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams or led initiatives in previous roles.
Highlight Your Organisational Abilities: Demonstrate your ability to manage multiple projects by providing examples of how you've effectively prioritised tasks and met deadlines in past positions. This is crucial for the role's responsibilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forterra Building Products Limited
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a People Development Specialist does, especially in the context of early careers. Familiarise yourself with recruitment strategies, onboarding processes, and talent development initiatives that are relevant to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in early careers or talent development. Highlight specific projects you've managed, particularly those involving apprenticeships or graduate schemes, and be ready to explain how they align with the company's goals.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your excellent communication skills by discussing how you've engaged with various stakeholders in past roles. Be prepared to give examples of how you've collaborated with teams or departments to enhance learning and development experiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's early careers strategy and how you can contribute to it. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand the expectations better, making you a more compelling candidate.