Celebrating Growth – Iqra Arshad

A hugely popular colleague here at Sigma Connected, Iqra Arshad joined us three years ago and has gone on to become a Team Manager.

The 25-year-old from Birmingham is one of a number of employees who have joined us through Impact Sourcing – an initiative which sources high potential, long-term unemployed people who struggle to find or get back into work due to physical, mental or socio-economic challenges.

Months after finishing university with an English and Creative Writing degree, Iqra found herself unemployed and on Universal Credit – a time which she filled by volunteering for local charities.

Determined to progress and get onto the career ladder, Iqra went through an intensive training and development programme with our educational partners at BMET, where Impact Sourcing is a key element to help us give opportunities to people from a range of backgrounds.

After a successful interview and weeks of training she was recruited as an Advisor, becoming a Client Trainer just one year later, then a Deputy Team Leader, and onto the Team Leader role she is in today where she now leads and coaches 11 Advisors.

“The past three years have flown by and I am grateful every day for the opportunities I’ve had since I joined Sigma Connected. Those opportunities simply wouldn’t have been there without Sigma’s forward-thinking partnership with BMET where Impact Sourcing has helped many people from disadvantaged backgrounds back into work.” Iqra says.

“The business has a genuinely caring culture, a real family feel and a positive environment which I think is really rare.

“What has stood out for me has been the ongoing support, training and development I receive and how welcoming it is to people from a range of backgrounds. Not only are you allowed to learn from your own mistakes, but it teaches you to be more resilient and you are given the tools which help you fly. I’ve never felt so supported as I’ve moved through the structure of the business

“I came into the sector through the very different route, but I’d encourage anyone who is interested to take a serious look at the BPO industry and Sigma Connected in particular. If you’re good, you’re welcome.”