Career Ahead in Construction for Julie-Anne

Changing career can often seem both daunting and difficult, but for Julie-Anne Dodds the change has opened doors in a new sector with full support from an employer to help her progress.  

Julie-Anne (40) from Belfast, worked for 14 years in tourism and hospitality and is currently employed as an Assistant Estimator with Gilbert Ash. She is in the second year of a Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Construction Management at SERC’s Bangor Campus. She said, “After my GCSEs I progressed to an AVCE in Travel and Tourism in my local further education college. Once completed, I went straight to work in the sector holding posts in hotels such as reception and reservations, before going to work on cruise ships and seasonal contracts as cabin crew.   My last role in the hospitality sector was as duty manager with The Merchant Hotel in Belfast. The motivation for change was the unsociable hours my posts demanded. I had years of experience, but I needed a change and a new challenge.  

Julie-Anne continued, “I took up a post on a helpdesk for a facilities maintenance firm. I found it difficult to get the support I needed to progress there, but the experience I gained of the industry enabled me to move to Gilbert Ash where I have been for the past two and a half years. I have been encouraged to develop my qualifications and build a career with them, and this has included support to complete the HLA in Construction Management.  

She continued, “I am in work four days a week and then one day a week, I come to SERC. At Gilbert Ash, I work alongside an Estimator on what are called two stage tenders.  The work involves a lot of negotiating between clients and sub-contractors to bring a job in on budget. I enjoy the work, and I work well to deadlines. I think being female helps – I love a bargain – so I get great satisfaction when I achieve the best possible price for a job. It is also about building relationships throughout the supply chain.  

Speaking about the HLA route, Julie-Anne said, “I am thoroughly enjoying progressing my qualifications through the HLA. Everything we are doing on the course is aligned and relevant to my day-to-day work. There is plenty of work - it is full on - but it is all manageable. It is all about keeping on top of the workload. The lecturers in the college are great and very approachable and if there is anything you do not know, you just ask.  

“I would encourage other females to find a career step into the construction industry and to explore the apprenticeship route. It was a bit scary returning to education, and I was worried about being older and being the only female in the class. In retrospect though, it was not as daunting as I thought it would be – there is a mix of age groups and career backgrounds, and being female has never been an issue.  

Speaking about her ambitions, Julie-Anne concluded, “When I complete the HLA, I hope to top up my qualification with a HND or degree at some stage. It is good to know now how I can progress my qualifications and to the role of Estimator.”  

SERC is hosting Information and Apprenticeships - Have a Go Sessions during NI Apprenticeship Week, 4.30 – 7.00pm on Thursday 6 February  at Downpatrick and Lisburn Campuses.