Being part of Power of Choice improved my career prospects

30 Sep 2021 01:19 PM

Catherine Chan, Head of Communications at HM Inspectorate of Probation, and Louise Falshaw, Director, Strategy and Research at HM Inspectorate of Probation, 29 September 2021.

Applications are now open for the Power of Choice programme for future leaders from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Catherine Chan participated in the first year of the programme with her line manager, Louise Falshaw.

Catherine Chan, Head of Communications at HM Inspectorate of Probation, yesterday said:

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Power of Choice programme, but it ended up being exactly what I needed. Like many of us, I had wandered into a career in government communications. I had worked hard and gained lots of experiences, but I didn’t have a clear plan for developing my career.

The programme helped me to focus on my career and to ask myself tough questions about what I want to achieve. The sessions helped me to see my career differently, including real and perceived barriers and how I can respond to them. I’m a practical person so I appreciated being able to talk through solutions with others—this got me a lot further than reading leadership books on my own! My line manager has been incredibly supportive throughout and has helped me to translate learning into practice.

If you’re eligible for the programme and you’re ready to take your career to the next level, I’d encourage you to apply.

Louise Falshaw, Director, Strategy & Research at HM Inspectorate of Probation, yesterday said:

The Power of Choice programme was unique in that it not only offered an opportunity to its participants, but also engaged line managers directly. We attended parallel sessions, so we were aware of what was being delivered to the participants, reflected on our own working style as well as that of the participant, and were encouraged to think about how we could apply our learning to the benefit of our wider team. It secured our buy-in as line managers so that we provided direct support to the participant as they went through the programme.

Catherine and I have reflected on what we have each taken from the programme, which we both found beneficial. We are each of the view that you get out of it what you put in. With that in mind, I would encourage line managers to engage fully with this programme. Your participant will get more out of it if you are alongside them providing support and advice. I highly recommend it!

Power of Choice: nomination guidance and how to apply