Sandra – Trades Placement
Sandra is a Newham resident referred to Higgins for a work placement through our ongoing partnership with Women into Construction. Sandra spent two weeks on our Woolwich Reach site shadowing trades including Bricklaying and Carpentry to gain valuable experience for her CV.
“I gained really useful knowledge around the key skills and priorities when laying bricks, and the importance of accuracy when it comes to levels, and measurements. It was my first time on a construction site following the Women into construction employability course which I completed earlier this year. It’s great to have the CSCS card and to try it out for real.
It’s been challenging for me completing the placement, as I also hold down a zero hours contract job, and need to maintain my hours there, and be available to take my daughter to and from school. I’m very motivated to get a career built from this, and to have regular income to pay the bills.
Before starting the placement my main interest was in bricklaying, however since spending time with the carpentry subcontractor I now know that’s what I want to do.
I’d like to take up a carpentry apprentice and get my qualification while working. The team on site gave me great advice and support. It’s been really valuable in planning my next steps, and looking for opportunities.” – Sandra
The on-site team added “Sandra would always ask how she can help, and be proactive, interested to find out about what we do. She’s a quick learner and we would like to consider her for our future apprenticeship roles.”
Employment Update
We at WiC are proud to be a part of Sandra’s success in securing a role as a Surveying Technician, assisting the setting out engineering team at Multiplex. Sandra is very determined, has a hunger to grow her career and will give 100%.
Sandra is now on a pathway to starting an NVQ in engineering and is looking forward to learning from the industry experts. At the end of the NVQ, the industry should have another female engineer to call upon. Project Manager, Aretha Kelly is very excited for Sandra and wishes her every success in her career.
