Nichola takes first steps to site management

Teenager Nichola Wyatt has taken her first steps towards her dream of working as a construction project manager after completing a traineeship at Southend United Football Club.

The 16-year-old was the only girl in a group of facilities management trainees who completely refurbished a briefing room at the Roots Hall stadium.

Nichola said: “We had to clean it, measure and put down new floor boards, put plaster board on the ceiling and then paint the room. Everyone was so friendly, and we worked well as a team planning our own way of doing it, and learning about the importance of health and safety.”

With the Government’s latest Budget announcing additional investment to tackle skills shortages in the construction sector, Nichola now hopes to land an apprenticeship in the sector.

Her Seetec Skills Trainer Lindsay Rungasamy believes she has the right attitude to achieve her goal. Lindsay said: “Nichola applied herself excellently on the course. She was always early, either for class or the work placement at Southend United. I was impressed with the level of her written coursework and the quality of her DIY skills. With her positive ‘can do’ attitude, she is destined to go far.”

Nichola’s love of construction started in her back garden, working with her dad on building a summerhouse and garage.

Nichola, who lives in Corringham and left St Clere’s School in Stanford Le Hope in the summer, said: “I will carry on until the end of a project and never give up. I want to become a project manager on a building site.”

With Christmas approaching she has secured a temporary job in a supermarket, but her New Year’s resolution will be to take her next steps towards site management.

Seetec has been supporting people into employment and improving skills for over 30 years. Young people interested in traineeship or apprenticeship opportunities should contact Seetec on 0845 33 06 573 or click here.