Sharla – Construction Apprentice  

Sharla registered with WiC at our information session with Hill in October 2019. With her CSCS card already in place, Sharla was seeking a pathway into construction, having worked with the industry as a recruiter.

Sharla successfully secured work as a labourer and used the experience to gain further knowledge and insight into the industry. She continued to explore the roles available within commercial and production teams with WiC.

Working as a labourer gave Sharla further enthusiasm to work her way up in the industry, so she joined the Hill and WiC virtual work experience week in April 2021 to explore areas of progression.

Sharla “really enjoyed” the virtual work experience, commenting, “having already worked in construction through my past career in recruitment and then into construction labouring on site for over a year, I still learnt something new. Everyone was so welcoming and happy to answer questions.”

With support from WiC, Sharla was then put forward for an interview with WiC member Morgan Sindall for a Construction Manager Apprenticeship, of which she was successful. As a result, Sharla will be starting the apprenticeship programme, which will see her complete her HND in Construction Management, in September.

Jamie Shearman, Morgan Sindall’s Area Director for Cambridge commented, “We are very much looking forward to Sharla joining our team in September. At her interview and in her previous work she has shown a determination to progress her career in construction and we were impressed with her passion and enthusiasm for the industry. Our apprentice programme will support Sharla develop all aspects of her construction industry knowledge through structured learning and practical application. We’re excited to see how she grows and develops with us over the coming years”.

Sharla adds, “I am forever thankful for the support that Shelley and WiC have given me. During COVID, placements weren’t always possible; however, Shelley always checked in and let me know what was in the pipeline, as well as any other labouring work going if I needed it. Having worked on-site for subcontractors, housing developers and main contractors, I knew my heart lay in main contracting. The WiC virtual work experience with Hill really opened my eyes to working in production as I was previously undecided between commercial and production, so that experience was invaluable. To say I’m over the moon about starting at Morgan Sindall is an understatement, most of all because it’s a company I always admired working in construction recruitment but also because it’s an amazing opportunity. I cannot stop pinching myself that this is happening, and I’m so happy that WiC has helped me achieve my dream job.”

For details on current Women into Construction programmes, visit our programmes page.