After 16 months of hard work and dedication, Kathryn Taylor, HR Manager at Lasernet Group, has achieved a Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. We recently sat down with Kathryn to discuss her fantastic accomplishment.
Kathryn has worked for Lasernet Group for eight years. She started as Office Manager at the Nottingham office, focusing on admin tasks and working with customers. At that point, there were only 15 to 20 people in the office, so there wasn’t an established HR department in the UK. “My background was admin and PA-type work. In previous roles for smaller companies, I got involved in HR even though it wasn’t my specialism,” she said.
In 2020, Lasernet Group acquired EFS Technology, and another 30 to 40 staff members joined the business. This increased the UK headcount to around 60 people. The growing headcount required dedicated HR expertise, and Kathryn saw an opportunity to expand her HR knowledge. She spoke to her line manager, who agreed that Kathryn and the wider Lasernet Group team would benefit from her enhancing her HR expertise.
Building on her existing skills
On top of the existing HR knowledge Kathryn had acquired in her career, she possesses many of the soft skills an HR professional requires. "I've got many years of skills and experience behind me in terms of interacting with people and making common-sense type decisions,” she said. “I also understand the company and its culture, but I felt I needed to undertake a recognised HR academic qualification to be more comfortable and feel more confident in my role.”
After researching the options available, Kathryn chose to study for a Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. “I knew I wanted to do an industry-recognised qualification, so that’s why I chose the CIPD diploma,” she said. The diploma explored several key elements in people management, including:
- Organisational performance and culture in practice
- Evidence-based practice
- Professional behaviours and valuing people
- Employment relationship management
- Talent management and workforce planning
- Reward for performance and contribution
- Specialist employment law
Kathryn studied for the diploma alongside her full-time role, completing it in just under 16 months. “It was quite full-on because you’d finish one module and then go straight onto the next one. It was intense alongside a full-time job.” January 2023 to May 2024 was a busy time for her. “Alongside working at weekends, I was able to devote some time to my studies at work,” she said. “It is a positive thing for me that Lasernet Group support my development in my role.”
How HR shaped Kathryn’s professional values
Asked about her priorities as an HR professional, she said: “Fairness and consistency are important to me—they’re always in the back of my mind. It’s about making things fairer and more consistent across the board to make Lasernet Group an even better place to work.”
Connecting with other like-minded individuals studying for the same qualification gave Kathryn some perspective on Lasernet Group’s progress. “During my studies, I met lots of other HR professionals working at other public and private sector businesses. It showed me that we at Lasernet Group do a lot of things really well already,” she said. “For example, we offer a lot of flexibility, a relaxed atmosphere, and we care about our people.” Studying the HR qualification and connecting with other professionals has given Kathryn a fresh perspective on Lasernet Group’s positive culture. It’s clear she’s proud of where she works and is even more motivated to make HR even better.
How Lasernet Group supported Kathryn’s development
Speaking to Kathryn, it’s clear that she is very grateful for the opportunity to complete an HR qualification. “I wanted to put the time in not only for my own development, but because Lasernet Group was supporting me. I wanted to do well.”
Kathryn recently received her certificate—the physical manifestation of her hard work and dedication. “When I finished and got my certificate, I felt a great sense of achievement. I’m really pleased that I’ve done it,” she said. “I had lots of support. I had support from my managers, but also my colleagues. They were really helpful and encouraging.” It’s clear that Kathryn values how much Lasernet Group invests in their people. “I’m nearer the end than the start of my working life, and Lasernet Group have still chosen to invest in me,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, Lasernet Group will still invest in you.”
Not only did the qualification extend Kathryn’s HR expertise, but it also helped her find her voice and make positive organisational changes. “Completing the qualification has made me realise more of the things I should be doing in my role and empowered me to instigate change.” she said.
As HR Manager, Kathryn plays an important role in making sure everyone at Lasernet Group lives and breathes these values. All of us at Lasernet Group want to say a huge congratulations to Kathryn for achieving her CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. Her hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are proud to have her as a part of our team.
