Young Wrexham Females Inspire Next Generation of Apprentices

As Yale College moves towards a new year with an array of full and part-time courses on offer, we take a closer look at two particular success stories from the most recent year and see how they could shape the changing landscape of females in work.

Natalie Hughes, 18, from Queens Park was a competition winner at the Skills Competition Wales (painting & decorating) in Camarthenshire earlier this year despite only being in the first year of her course.

Reflecting on her success, Natalie said: “When I left school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do (…). I was helping a friend paint her bedroom one day and found I really enjoyed it so looked in to the course at Yale College.

“I want to concentrate on gaining more experience through an apprenticeship over the next two years as hopefully it will lead to employment but one day I’d really like to have my own business.”

Natalie has already been offered an apprenticeship and is well on the road to achieving her ambitions.

This year has too seen another award winning learner from Wrexham. Jenna Peters, 24, was named “top female mechanic in the UK” in the LML Auto Skills UK competition after having gained level 2 qualifications in a range of areas including vehicle maintenance and repair, and hybrid electric vehicle operations. She has also benefitted from an introduction to low carbon technology.

In order to build on her successes, Jenna now needs an apprenticeship to help her advance to level 3 learning. Her lecturer, Martin Talent, has given his backing to anyone keen to take Jenna on.

“I can recommend Jenna who has impressed us with her attentive attitude and exceptional achievement. Jenna has been a model student and valued member of the second year.”

The achievements of both Natalie and Jenna were sure to inspire girls from Rhosnesni High School, who were given the opportunity to experience construction first hand when they tried some brickwork and floor-laying tasks at Yale’s Bersham Road campus recently. They also got the chance to visit the site of the new industrial estate link road and speak to females currently working in the industry.

“The industry needs more females to work in different roles and hopefully the day generated some interest for the girls in the construction sector,” said Emrys Roberts, Construction Industry Careers Adviser, Contruction Skills (CITB).

With the wide range of careers sectors open to young men and women in the area, there is definite reason for optimism for the current and future learners at Yale.

If you are an employer in the automotive industry interested in offering Jenna an apprenticeship email us for more information ([email protected]).