Choosing EKC Training as your Apprenticeship provider means you’ll be on the path to a successful career. If you’re an employer, you’ll also find the candidate that’s right for your business.
Working with our dedicated recruitment team means you’ll get access to our talent pool across East Kent, flexible training throughout the year, a FREE recruitment service and expert support.
As one of the largest Apprenticeship training providers in Kent, the team has decades of experience in apprentice recruitment.
Meet the team below and find out more about them.
Karen Wheeler – Recruitment Manager
With 10+ years of experience at East Kent Colleges Group, Karen is an expert when it comes to matching candidates with their dream apprenticeships. As Recruitment Manager, she’s always networking and promoting EKC Training’s services and helping businesses find the ideal apprentice.
What makes Karen’s day? Watching apprentices thrive and grow on a daily basis, building the skills and confidence they need to smash their career goals. She’s also got the perfect mix of career experience, from managing schools and early years settings to her retail background, which helps her understand what employers really need.
Fun Fact: Karen is an experienced motorcyclist who has participated in ladies’ track days at Brands Hatch, once finishing in a 2nd place out of 33.
Hayley Channon – Recruitment Officer
Hayley is our newest Recruitment Officer but is already making waves. As a former Hairdressing lecturer at EKC Canterbury College, she’s brilliantly transitioned her skills into recruitment is already working with over 20 apprentices in just her first few weeks!
She’s all about giving apprentices the best start, carefully matching them with employers. Hayley’s a big believer in learning on the job—it’s the best way to gain practical, real-world skills that set you up for success.
In her view, apprenticeships offer a great way to learn, combining practical experience with formal education.
Fun Fact: Hayley is a qualified scuba diver.
Blue Vinall – Recruitment Officer
Blue is our very own apprenticeship success story. Starting out as an administration apprentice in the Canterbury Construction team, she has climbed the ladder to now help others find amazing opportunities. She meets employers, interviews candidates and matches them up with employers.
Blue’s proudest moment was completing her Level 3 Business Administration qualification and now loves showing others how apprenticeships can open the doors to a brighter future.
Fun Fact: Blue appeared on Channel 4’s First Dates and was proposed to on stage at Dreamland Margate!
Paula Matthews – Recruitment Officer
Paula brings over 15 years of recruitment experience to the table. She’s a master at supporting both apprentices and employers throughout the journey, from interviews to on-the-job support.
She’s also EKC Training’s very own award-winner, having been recognised at the recent Staff Awards for her incredible contributions!
Paula initially trained as a teacher in English and Sports, before transitioning into apprenticeships. She is proud to report than 90% of all our apprentices stay with their employers after completing their qualification.
Paula’s biggest belief? Apprenticeships give you the best of both worlds—gaining qualifications while getting real-life experience, all with a salary.
Fun Fact: She’s met Michael Parkinson!
Hope Smith – Recruitment Officer
Hope splits her time between recruiting apprentices and training HR apprentices. Since joining the team in July 2023, she’s helped over 50 apprentices start their careers, bringing fresh ideas and passion to the table.
Hope previously studied at EKC Canterbury College on the Level 3 Business course, where she achieved a Distinction*, before progressing to Canterbury Christ Church University to study Business with HR Management, graduating with a 2:1 in 2019. Her career path then led to working for recruitment agencies before transitioning to HR roles during the COVID period.
She thinks the best thing about apprenticeships is that they are available to people of all ages and can lead to many different career paths.
Fun Fact: Hope is the proud owner of Mr Grey, a cat she adopted from Abu Dhabi.
Honey Scott – Business Administration Apprentice
Honey is the go-to person for all things admin and our very own apprentice.
She’s the first point of contact for both businesses and apprentices, handling enquiries, emails, and coordinating interviews. As a recent school leaver, she’s already making a name for herself in the team and is excited about her future.
Honey believes apprenticeships are the perfect gateway to a career, offering endless possibilities to grow and learn while earning. She’s a passionate advocate for other school leavers to follow in her footsteps.
Fun Fact: In her spare time, Honey runs her own social media, combining her love for travelling and photography.
Whether you are a business with training needs, or a school leaver looking for you next steps, why not get in touch with our friendly recruitment team who can help you explore Apprenticeships.
Contact our Apprenticeship Recruitment team, or learn more online about our Apprenticeships.
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