We celebrate female apprentices who became site managers

This International Women’s Day, the mantra is ‘choose to challenge’. While the construction industry is known to have a shortage of women at the helm, our East Anglia team wants to celebrate the huge achievements of three former female apprentices and trainees who have all recently been promoted to the position of Assistant Site Manager.

These promotions reflect our commitment to tackling the skills gap and encouraging diversity in the property sector. The message is clear - if you think a career in construction is right for you, don’t let stereotypes and misconceptions stand in your way!

When Florence Webb, 25, left school, she joined us straight away and started her career as a management trainee in the Land and Planning team. Since then, she’s had exposure to a variety of different roles and departments and has recently been appointed as Assistant Site Manager of Lark Grange, Bury St Edmunds.

Florence said: “I was always interested in the construction industry. My mentors helped me to delve deeper and really explore the areas I was most interested in, giving me such good knowledge and understanding which helps me every day in my new role. I’m currently on maternity leave with my first child but cannot wait to get back on site, doing what I love.”

Two years ago, Lauren Maitland, 26, and Sarah Hayden, 28, both started our Management Trainee Apprenticeship scheme. Here, they gained hands-on experience working alongside senior site staff. They also studied at Suffolk New College to gain their Construction Contracting Operations qualification.

Lauren said: “The past couple of years as an apprentice have been amazing. I loved how every day was completely different. Now in my new role as Assistant Site Manager of the Sewell Meadow development in Old Catton, I’m typically responsible for organising materials and trades, while ensuring the quality of our homes is up to standard.

“This apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me and I’m really excited about my future with the company.”

Sarah continues: “I had been a Taylor Wimpey Sales Executive for three years but I always had an interest in the construction side of things. It was so out of my comfort zone to leave the role in Sales and join the apprenticeship scheme, but it’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

“The whole team has been extremely supportive and I’m so happy to be promoted to Assistant Site Manager at Grosvenor Park in Attleborough. The best advice I could give to anyone looking to kick-start their construction career would be to check out Taylor Wimpey’s training schemes and just go for it!”

Julie Pearce, Regional Apprentice Manager at Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, said: “It’s important to us that we inspire people from all backgrounds to pursue a career in the construction industry. If you have passion and determination to succeed in this industry you can achieve great things, regardless of your gender.

“We are so proud of all our apprentices and management trainees across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and we can’t wait to meet new recruits later this year.”