Department for Work and Pensions - Rob Henderson,

• Name: Rob Henderson
• Employer: Department for Work and Pensions
• Occupation: Support for the Regional HR Business Partner for London
• Grade: -

Last updated - 5th October 2009

Rob Henderson, a Durham modern languages graduate, had worked in a few different HR roles before applying for the Fast Stream, including one with the MOD. “It was my first real job after university. I realised straight away that I loved HR. It was the idea of working with so many different kinds of people that really appealed to me.”

He is currently eight months into his first Fast Stream placement in the Department for Work and Pensions, working within Jobcentre Plus. “My role is to support the Regional HR Business Partner for London. On a day-to-day basis, this involves working with the rest of the team on whatever the current projects may be. At the moment, for example, we have a lot of recruitment work to do.

As one of the managers within the team (I manage one other member of staff), I also take part in our strategic leadership meetings and cover for senior colleagues when they are on holiday.

From September, the Civil Service is going to pay for me to work towards a CIPD qualification. They’re also giving me every Wednesday off to attend classes and study. The fact that you can combine on-the-job experience with the opportunity to gain a recognised HR qualification is one of the real benefits of the HR scheme.”

But it’s not just the development opportunities that have impressed Rob so far. “The welcome I received from the programme and colleagues has been fantastic; I felt part of the team from day one and I am very happy in the role. I’ve also been able to get involved in activities outside of work, and I am now captain of Cygnet, the Civil Service rowing club.”