An apprenticeship with Wight Building Materials has given 23-year-old Izzy Bowles from Godshill a firm foundation on which to develop a career in engineering – and she is urging other women to consider careers in the traditionally male dominated world of engineering.
The ‘learn while you earn’ approach of apprenticeships has given Izzy a strong start to her career, with an apprenticeship in Business Administration leading to a works administrator role with the company.
Wight Building Materials has continued to support Izzy’s professional by supporting her to study for a foundation science degree in Mineral Extractives Technology through the University of Derby.
Izzy says:
“When I was at school I never thought I would be working in an environment where a hard hat and orange high-viz trousers were the norm, but the apprenticeship opened my eyes to the opportunities a career in engineering could offer.
“I had driven past the entrance to the quarry at Blackwater so many times growing up but had never realised the scale of the operation there and the fact the materials manufactured and supplied from there are literally the building blocks of the future.
“The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to learn about the quarry business, from the sales process to the mineral extraction and the important role of restoring landscapes after quarrying to become either wildlife havens or areas for recreation that everyone can enjoy.
“From this I developed an interest in the mineral side of things and was so grateful to Wight Building Materials for giving me the chance to study with the University of Derby which will give me an internationally recognised academic qualification.
Article continues below this advertisement “Doing an apprenticeship was a great decision for me and I’d recommend it to others. Quarrying and engineering may not be a career path associated with woman but there’s no reason that should be the case. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and I think more woman should be looking to forge a career in engineering.”
Steve Burton general manager at Wight Building Materials said:
“It is really important that we support our young people and work with them to develop their careers. Izzy is a great example of someone who has joined us through an apprenticeship, worked hard and shown a willingness to learn. It is really rewarding to see her flourish within our industry, especially as a female in a traditionally male workplace.
“We look forward to working with Izzy to progress her professional development and increase her knowledge of all aspects of our business from the operational and technical side of things to the commercial and marketing aspects of the business, all of which will stand her in good stead for the future.”
Wight Building Materials is currently supporting two young people on mechanical and electrical apprenticeship schemes through Aggregate Industries. As part of the scheme they travel to Leicester every six weeks for training towards professional qualifications. The current apprentices will complete their schemes in June and go into full time roles at Wight Building Materials. The company is considering plans for further apprentice recruitment in the future.
To find out more about Wight Building Materials visit www.wightbuildingmaterials.com.
What is your preference az? A pig or a dinosaur? Please let me know
What a plonker! Shut up
Yes Phil, do be quiet as ‘golly’ says.
This is not a silly quiz or joke site, but a means to address real problems as ways of life, held dear for years are changing rapidly.
Anyhow you know we do not eat pigs, and the butcher was completely out of Dinosaur, seems to have been a rush on such since the discovery renewed primitive tastes here.
I am ‘questioning’ whether for the worse, or better.
Where, apart from having clean cups, and having someone attractive to leech over is the advantage in the above article for every other worker on site?
i have worked in all male environments, also, predominantly female environments and ones that are fairly balanced between the two and you know what…..
the productivity levels across all three environments was about the same, the back biting, sniping and gossiping was the same across all three environments and the composition of personalities was no different in all three environments- you still had brown noses, hard workers, lazy slobs, sicknotes, grasses, bosses stooges, career climbers, militants, only there for the pay cheque, drunks, always lates, always got a problem, and every other type of person you see in a work place in all three environments
There was one thing men and women all have in common in the the workplace though – they all effing complain endlessly about the job, the management, the workers, the pay and how they wish they could leave, but can’t because of bills, family etc etc.
Agree, with almost all of what you say, if not all, yet I can’t help wondering if, in these ridiculous P.C days, whether certain persons are employed because of their gender, and colour, race, disability etc.
We see it on the BBC, presenters NOT chosen for being the ‘best choice’ but because they ‘make up’ the quota’s so a tick list can be fully compliant with ‘company policy’
Women are far far better in many roles, such a caring for children, cleaning, care work, dusting, finding items in cupboards, and reception desks and bars, where males want to be greeted by a pretty face.
But ONE in a male workplace can add an amount of awkwardness, where men used to expel wind either end, often to the amusement of work mates, this is then contained leading to discomfort.
Video’s unsuitable for Women on phones will have to be done with an air of secrecy, as will conversations about ‘who sha gged who’ over the weekend.
Thus stifling conversation and natural bodily functions.
A huge log in the W.C will now be an embarrassment whereas once something to be proud of.
The list is endless.
Fine with a mix of women, so they can chat away happily about nails (finger) frocks and kittens, but a solitary one, especially an attractive one, not some butch minger, will imo, still cause the ambiance of the work hut and van to alter drastically.
Otherwise you point is fully valid
AZ this is your best one yet .I’m in tears.