Persimmon pushes to appoint 50 women into trainee construction roles

(From left) Lynn Johnson and Chantelle Fort both swapped sales jobs for the role of trainee assistant site manager with Persimmon Homes Lancashire

Target 50 will bring 50 additional female apprentices or technical trainees into construction-related roles across the UK this year.

The initiative forms part of Persimmon’s 50^th anniversary celebrations and supports its commitment to becoming Britain’s leading homebuilder, with quality and customer service at its heart.

Among the women who are part of the Target 50 initiative are Chantelle Fort and Lynn Johnson, who have both chosen to switch careers from sales advisors to become trainee assistant site managers with Persimmon in Lancashire.

Lynn, 53, has been with Persimmon for more than 30 years and was keen to prove to herself and her son that age is no barrier to trying something new.

“I am so excited to start my new career and bring pride to my job, for me and my son,” she said. “I only became a mother at 41 after seven years of IVF, so I took a step back from my career to spend quality time with him, but now he is in high school I am champing at the bit to take on a new challenge.

“It is a little daunting, but I love working with people and I’m hoping that my previous experience as a field sales manager will help me in this role too. I am really grateful for the opportunity and look forward to another 15 productive years with Persimmon.”

Lynn is based at the Douglas Gardens development in Hesketh Bank, while 27-year-old Chantelle Fort has settled in at the Spring Meadows site in Darwen.

“I never envisaged working out on site, but there are amazing opportunities and more options than I ever realised. I think more women should get into the industry – it’s not just a man’s world!” said Chantelle.

“I get huge job satisfaction from speaking to trades, ticking jobs off the list, making things happen and seeing projects completed, so this is a great role for me.”

Chantelle had worked as a Persimmon sales advisor for five years before deciding she needed a fresh challenge.

“I am gaining lots of knowledge and have a newfound respect for site managers and the work they do day to day,” she said. “My training is intense but very useful and informative and everyone has been very supportive of my ambitions.”

Madi Pilgrim, director of talent and diversity at Persimmon, said: “On International Women’s Day, I am delighted to recognise the contribution and achievements of all the women who work for Persimmon, and I am also excited to announce our Target 50 challenge.

“There is no doubt that welcoming 50 female apprentices or technical trainees into construction-related roles this year is a stretching target, but we are fully committed to achieving the goal.

“The construction industry has started to change in recent years but progress has been slow. We know there is much more to do in inspiring a wider pool of talent into the industry to address the skills gaps the sector faces and to build an innovative, inclusive and sustainable workforce in the long term.

“This initiative links directly to our ambition to have a workforce which is more reflective of the customers we serve and the communities we build in.”

Ms Pilgrim said Persimmon was focussing on increasing gender diversity in areas where there is a lower number of female employees in non-traditional roles, such as construction.

More than 30 women have already started their construction apprenticeships or higher training courses with Persimmon, with more due to join as the year progresses.

• For more information about Target 50 or Persimmon Homes careers and training, click here

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