Young role model inspiring women to take up electrics and plumbing

A young student is bucking the trend for women in trades and developed aspirations for a career ‘on the tools’, thanks to her work experience placement with repairs and maintenance provider, Mears Group.

 

A young student is bucking the trend for women in trades and developed aspirations for a career ‘on the tools’, thanks to her work experience placement with repairs and maintenance provider, Mears Group.

A chance conversation with a family friend led to 15-year-old Courtney Kiddell being selected for a placement with Mears Group’s Thurrock branch for two days a week.

Courtney had been finding full-time school challenging and was keen to gain more hands-on experience of working life. Her school agreed that a workplace placement could be beneficial for many reasons, and she began working in the Mears Group office in November last year.

Her duties have mainly been administration and planning, and she has shown particular aptitude for call handling; actively speaking to customers and dealing with enquiries.

Mentor Gary Luscombe, Head of Operations, said:

“Courtney has excelled in her role, which has already been reflected in better grades at school. She’s taken complete ownership of any tasks she undertakes, has excellent understanding and is always asking for something to do.”

Courtney said:

“It’s good working for Mears – I’m treated more like an adult than a student and I’m enjoying the hands-on experience.”

Her workplace experience has been so positive that it’s sparked ambitions to join the Mears Apprenticeship scheme in September next year once she’s completed her GCSEs. She particularly has her sights set on training as an electrician or plumber.

Plans are now in place for her to join some of the electrical and plumbing operatives out on site, learning more about her prospective career and learning in a safely supervised multi-trade environment.

All three of the branch’s work experience students are now succeeding in school; attending regularly and excelling in the workplace, supported by members of staff who are trained mentors. The schools partnership has proved to be beneficial not only for the students, but also the mentors’ own personal development and training – with placements also about to start at another school in the town.

The application window for Mears’ apprenticeships is open from February until June every year. This ensures that apprentices are in post by August ready for the academic year to start in September.

careers.mearsgroup.co.uk/apprenticeships

Read more

Latest News

Read More

How can employers better support its LGBTQ+ workers

20 June 2025

Newsletter

Receive the latest HR news and strategic content

Please note, as per the GDPR Legislation, we need to ensure you are ‘Opted In’ to receive updates from ‘theHRDIRECTOR’. We will NEVER sell, rent, share or give away your data to third parties. We only use it to send information about our products and updates within the HR space To see our Privacy Policy – click here

Latest HR Jobs

University of Cambridge – Judge Business SchoolSalary: £41,671 to £55,755

Queen Mary University of London – Human ResourcesSalary: £76,952 to £84,329 per annum

Queen Mary University of London – Human ResourcesSalary: £76,952 to £84,329 per annum

University of Bath – Campus ServicesSalary: £30,805 to £37,174. Grade 6

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE