This week, we’re delighted to celebrate Paula Silva’s first anniversary with Excel Healthcare and look back on her journey from joining the team through the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) to becoming a permanent member of our Healthcare division.
Starting a New Career Through WPEP
Paula joined Excel Healthcare through the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP), beginning with a six-month placement designed to give her hands-on experience and an introduction to the recruitment industry.
Coming from a hospitality background and looking to take her career in a new direction, recruitment was a completely new industry for Paula. Throughout her placement, she was supported and mentored by Dillon Quinn, giving her the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of recruitment while developing her skills and confidence within the team.
Paula quickly discovered that many of the skills she had developed throughout her hospitality career – particularly communication, relationship building and working with people – translated naturally into recruitment.
Following the successful completion of her placement, Paula was offered a permanent position with Excel Healthcare and has since progressed to the role of Healthcare Resourcer.
Reflecting on her first year, Paula said:
“The programme gave me the perfect, supported space to step away from my old field and learn a completely new industry from the ground up. I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made from day one to now, and I look forward to what’s ahead with this growing team and fantastic company.”
Support and Mentorship Along the Way
Having mentored Paula from the beginning of her placement, Dillon has been able to see her development first-hand.
“From amazing intern to full-time colleague! It’s been a pleasure mentoring Paula through her internship journey and I’m delighted to now be able to do the same as full-time colleagues. Big congratulations on your one-year anniversary!”
Martina Young, Director of Excel Healthcare, also shared her congratulations:
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Paula become a real asset to our team. Paula brings an infectious energy, a wonderfully collaborative spirit and a genuine warmth that makes connecting with people seem effortless.”
Celebrating One Year with Excel Healthcare
Paula’s journey is a fantastic example of how work placement programmes can provide an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop new skills and take the first step into an entirely new career.
One year on, Paula has gone from learning the recruitment industry from the ground up to becoming a valued permanent member of the Excel Healthcare team.
Congratulations on your first year, Paula! We’re delighted to have you as part of Excel Healthcare and look forward to seeing what the next chapter of your career brings.
