Apprenticeships

Award-winning Bishop’s Stortford apprentice Sofia calls on young women to join industry

- 06 Nov 18

An award-winning apprentice in Bishop’s Stortford, who is hoping to cement a career in construction, has called for more women to join the housing industry.

Sofia Taylor, 19, who is tackling a sales apprenticeship at Bovis Homes based at Stortford Fields, said more young women were needed to bring a fresh approach to the building sector.

Sofia, from Basildon, recently won the regional sales team’s Rising Star award for her hard work and potential – and she now wants to try out other roles too, including going out on site with the build team.

“The job needs more young people and particularly more young women if the industry is to thrive in the future,” she said. “Women need to go for it because they can add so much and shake up what in the past has been an extremely male-dominated area.

“If you’re a young woman and want to work in the construction industry, just go out there and do it.”

The part-time waitress who studied art, media and graphics at Brentwood School, said her people skills and digital knowledge had helped in her current role, which includes selling houses and admin tasks.

Sofia, who works full-time, Thursday to Monday, at the Stortford Fields location, hopes to try her hand at becoming an assistant site manager in the build department.

She now hopes to sit her CSCS test, which provides evidence that those working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications.

“I’ve learnt a huge amount so far, especially how fast-paced the construction industry is,” she said. “I would love to work my way up to become an assistant site manager one day. I’m keen on the hands-on construction work and enjoy the sense of camaraderie within the team.”

Candice McCabe, regional marketing manager at Bovis Homes, said Sofia had made an impressive start to her apprenticeship and was already a key part of the Stortford Fields team.

“Sofia is a very worthy winner of our Rising Star award and is making a fantastic contribution to the sales team,” she said.

“Our customer feedback is very positive, and she has the dedication and ability to go all the way at Bovis Homes, within the sales or build teams.”