George Devaney

I currently work for the Home Office as an examiner and decision maker, handling a range of cases and applications. I assess a portfolio of submitted evidence, paying close attention to detail to make a well thought out decision. I manage my own workload independently as well as part of a team, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues with their own cases and decisions.

• Within my role at the business I have developed both my IT skills and ability to engage with the public. I have gone beyond basic training and took on extra responsibilities such as becoming trained in refunding customers using internal IT systems. Further, I have been given the responsibility of supporting more senior staff with both stock counting and stock taking allowing for both the business to run efficiently and also the maintenance of a great customer experience within my store.

• Since finishing as a trainee, I have been working independent event management shifts at future yard, including working different events as well as on their ‘Birkenhead Live' festival, where I ran their indoor stage throughout the day. This role has been gained through my desire to develop my own professional skills, via a plethora of education opportunities listed above, as well as the maintenance of professional relationships.

The soundcheck bootcamp course is a follow on from Soundcheck.
This went more in depth with risk assessments, health and safety
standards as well as event planning. This represented a progression
from the knowledge I had previously gained within the sector. The
organisational skills developed within this period have been
transferable beyond this specific environment.

• The Soundcheck course involves training in different aspects of the live music industry, including in Sound and lighting and event management during professional live events. I frequently shadowed Event Management for bands like Space, The Zutons and at their flagship festival ‘Future Now'. During these shows I also help with setting up the stage, following tech specifications and supporting with the lighting for the show. It is within this role that I developed my ability to use new types of specialist software.

• Within this role, my first within a customer service environment, I was taken beyond my initial comfort zone whilst being on the shop floor during the busiest time of year. I became entrusted to undertake cash counting at the end of the day, direct efforts to maintain stock levels within the shop floor, and deal with more complex customer situations. Within this environment I developed my ability to communicate clearly and concisely, whilst maintaining both an understanding and empathy towards the customer's situation.