Simon Middleton
Liverpool,Merseyside
Summary
A seasoned professional with extensive expertise in training and development, coaching and mentoring, and leadership development. Demonstrates proficiency in creating individual learning plans and managing events, including onboarding programmes and corporate inductions. Skilled in utilising web conferencing platforms such as Zoom for presentations and demonstrations, with a strong background in online-based education and classroom experience. Adept at graduate recruitment and training, early careers talent management, as well as sales training and coaching. Committed to fostering growth through innovative educational strategies that align with organisational goals.
Experienced Training Specialist with knack for developing engaging training programmes that boost team performance. Delivered comprehensive training initiatives and improved employee retention rates through tailored learning solutions. Thrives in collaborative environments, driving continuous improvement and fostering culture of growth.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work history
Associate Recruitment / Training Specialist
SJM Recruitment & Training
03.2006 - Current
- Clients : Vodafone, Eon, British Gas, Asda, Co-Operative, RBS, MOD, DWP, Home Office, Border Force, Care Quality Commission, Virgin Media, British Airways , SAS , VW/Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, PWC , KPMG, University of Manchester, Liverpool John Moore University
- Achieved 95% positive feedback by facilitating over 500 client training sessions.
- Facilitated high-quality workshops, meetings and demonstrations online and offline.
- Adapted session delivery to meet specific needs of professional learners within different environments.
- Held refresher courses and workshops to reinforce key concepts and skills.
- Facilitated soft skills training, improving communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Contact Centre Training - B2B, Handling Challenging Calls, Objection Handling, Communication Skills and Sales Techniques.
- Led programmes, helping 200 employees to successfully transition from Customer Service/ Sales to Technology.
- Sales Training / Onboarding /Enablement employee training.
- Enhanced engagement through development of training manuals and interactive modules.
- Impacted 500 employees with product and customer service training.
- Implemented pre- and post-training surveys to drive improvements.
- Utilised IT skills to establish accessible online training modules.
- Secured top roles for clients by coaching candidates through interviews.
- Improved communication and time management via soft skills training across disciplines.
- Addressed technical issues during NHS virtual workshops while facilitating discussions.
- Evaluated existing training methods for increased effectiveness in future sessions.
Recruitment / Training Officer
Vauxhall Motors
Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
- Customised recruitment strategies for diverse vacancies, creating engaging job adverts.
- Conducted meetings with managers to evaluate applicant qualifications and identify high-performing traits.
- Executed Assessment Centres, incorporating interviews, role plays, and dexterity exercises.
- Successfully recruited nearly 900 staff for new production line within 12 months.
- Established strong relationships with external recruiters to enhance talent acquisition.
- Delivered onboarding and induction training.
Sales & Recruitment Training Manager
Legal Insurance
Manchester
- Managed end-to-end recruitment processes, achieving swift transitions from advert to offer.
- Conducted thorough screening and assessments to maintain high suitability standards.
- Drafted and published job vacancies to attract qualified candidates.
- Oversaw recruitment efforts, ensuring effective candidate selection and placement.
- Successfully placed candidates in long-term roles, surpassing onboarding targets.
- Cultivated strong relationships with recruiters to enhance talent sourcing capabilities.
- Interviewed and selected staff aligned with job specifications and team needs.
- Recruited and trained nearly 1,000 new employees during significant expansion efforts.
- Led a cross-functional team of trainers to boost organisational effectiveness.
- Coordinated workshops and seminars for skill enhancement.
- Increased staff retention rates through career development planning and execution.
- Supervised average of 3 training specialists in sales department.
- Training and follow up training of Direct Sales and Field /Event Sales
Employment Advisor/ Business Advisor
Inbiz /Shaw Trust Training Provider
- Mentored and motivated customers facing barriers to training and employment through bespoke guidance programmes.
- Delivered effective group and one-to-one information, advice and guidance sessions to aid employment attainment.
- Utilised preparation-for-work expertise to provide effective advice for improved service-user outcomes.
- Supported individuals in achieving and sustaining new employment, becoming self employed or setting up own business.
- Consistently exceeded customer expectations, recommending additional resources to facilitate access to community assistance.
- Employed to deal sensitively with vulnerable customers in adverse social circumstances.
- Hit targets ever month of 30 people back into sustained employability.
- Achieved monthly job start and sustainment targets.
- Fostered strong relationships with employers for increased job placement rates.
- Educated clients on effective job search strategies; accelerated their employment process.
- Encouraged proactive behaviour in clients, fostered independence in their job hunt.
- Delivered workshops on interview skills, resulted in higher client self-assuredness.
- Coordinated with training providers, ensured access to professional development opportunities for clients.
- Set achievable employment goals to build client confidence.
- Handled high-volume client caseloads in seeking and securing work.
Service / Sales Advisor
VW/ Audi
- Educated customers on warranties and return policies for transparency.
- Boosted brand reputation with demonstration of product knowledge.
- Facilitated smooth checkout process, enhancing customer satisfaction levels.
- Collaborated with the marketing team for successful product launches.
- Monitored and refreshed displays to attract customers.
- Attended training sessions regularly to keep abreast with latest sales techniques.
- Increased sales through effective negotiation and persuasion techniques.
- Delivered excellent customer service by addressing and resolving queries.
- Delivered high sales performance within budget to strict deadlines and targets.
Education
HND - Business & Finance
St Helens College of Business & Management & Southport College
High School Diploma -
SCHOOL Bishop Montgomery High School
Los Angeles BA Hons - Business & Finance
UNIVERSITY The University of Central Lancashire
Skills
- Leadership development
- Individual learning plans
- Onboarding programs
- Corporate inductions
- Virtual presentations
- Web conferencing tools
- Presentations and demonstrations
- Online education
- Classroom instruction
- Graduate recruitment and training
- Early Careers Talent Management / Training
- Sales training /Enablement/ Onboarding
- Virtual classroom experience
- Influencing techniques
- Leadership development programmes
- New starter inductions
- Staff development planning
- End-point assessment (EPA)
- Staff onboarding
- Classroom facilitation
- Competency assessments
- Virtual customer service training
- Online-based education
- Refresher courses
- Coaching & Mentoring
Timeline
Associate Recruitment / Training Specialist
SJM Recruitment & Training
03.2006 - Current
Recruitment / Training Officer
Vauxhall Motors
Sales & Recruitment Training Manager
Legal Insurance
Employment Advisor/ Business Advisor
Inbiz /Shaw Trust Training Provider
Service / Sales Advisor
VW/ Audi
HND - Business & Finance
St Helens College of Business & Management & Southport College
High School Diploma -
SCHOOL Bishop Montgomery High School
BA Hons - Business & Finance
UNIVERSITY The University of Central Lancashire
Similar Profiles
Dhaval BhatnagarDhaval Bhatnagar
BRANCH MANAGER, SALES ASSOCIATE & PROJECT MANAGER at Future Connect Training & RecruitmentBRANCH MANAGER, SALES ASSOCIATE & PROJECT MANAGER at Future Connect Training & Recruitment
Magdalena KoscielniakMagdalena Koscielniak
Bookkeeper and Payroll Trainee at KBM Training and RecruitmentBookkeeper and Payroll Trainee at KBM Training and Recruitment
Faith Tolani AdefilaFaith Tolani Adefila
Health Care Assistant at Comfort Care Recruitment and Training LtdHealth Care Assistant at Comfort Care Recruitment and Training Ltd
Anthony BarriosAnthony Barrios
Power Pod Organizer at Florida Student Power NetworkPower Pod Organizer at Florida Student Power Network
Joseph JockinsJoseph Jockins
Retail assistant at WHSmithRetail assistant at WHSmith