Category: Case studies
This prompted her to move to London (Ealing) where she would look for construction work/work experience during the week, returning to Wales for her day release at college. Two years on, she approached Countryside Properties Ltd at their Acton Gardens site and spoke to one of the site managers there, who took her CV and passed it onto us at JBT.
We were very interested in Supanja and her story so we decided to interview her and we are so glad that we did. We were instantly impressed by her enthusiasm and dedication. Living in London, she catches the 7.15pm train every Wednesday night to Port Talbot getting in around 11.30pm so that she can go to college on the Thursday. She then catches the 8.40pm train back to Ealing getting home around 12.30am so that she can be back for work the following day. Supanja does this every week without fail.
We discussed her situation with Countryside Properties Ltd and they agreed for her to have a placement with them. Supanja slotted right in to their team who all think that her work ethic is amazing.
So where did Supanja’s love for construction come from? It all started very early on. Her family owned a brick factory in Thailand and she just knew she had a real desire for creating structures and wanting to be a part of this industry. However, she was encouraged to pursue a career in accountancy which she did but her passion was for construction.
After moving to the UK and getting married, Supanja decided to go back to college and follow this passion for working within construction. She knew it would be a difficult choice and would require a lot of dedication and hard work. This is something that she was prepared to do, knowing that the initial sacrifice would pay off long term.
Talking to Supanja about how she is finding it, she has confirmed that she is loving every minute of it. She is the only woman on her course but this has not stood in her way but has taught her how to be confident and communicate more efficiently. She is the only woman on site within the management team but this too has not fazed her. Doing an eight-hour round to Wales each week to attend college has not discouraged her either; in fact, she uses this travel time to do her homework and revision.
Supanja’s parents are very proud of her as is her husband and in-laws of seven years standing. It is with their unfailing support that she has been able to focus so fiercely on the end goal.
JBT are very proud to say that Supanja has gone on to win Apprentice of the Year at the Ealing Network Apprenticeship Awards 2016, and is currently working on site at Acton Gardens.