Using your platform to inspire others. Hear how Christabel Sogbe, trainee site manager is keen to encourage women into construction.
Interviewer: Harrison Bartlett
In November 2024, I met Christabel at our apprentice induction event. We spoke briefly, and it was clear to me straight away that she had a passion to inspire young people, particularly more women, into the construction industry.
We recently caught up again, to have a more in-depth chat about Christabel’s role as a trainee site manager and her mission to help the construction industry become more inclusive.
Joining the construction industry
“I always knew I wanted to work in the construction industry. Seeing how businesses like Kier are able to make a difference to the skylines of major cities was something I really wanted to be involved in,” Christabel started telling me.
“My dad has been in construction for a long time, back in Ghana, and always told me, I’d do well in this industry. I’ve got many other family members who also work in construction and were part of what inspired me to follow suit. When I was young, we used to watch TV programmes about building, like Homes Under the Hammer. I think the idea of just taking a project from start to finish always fascinated me,” she added.
Before we got on to talking about what a typical day looks for Christabel, I was keen to find out more about how she came to join Kier.
“I’d heard good things about Kier anyway through friends and family, I liked what I saw on their Instagram and LinkedIn pages as well and decided to apply,” she said.
Apprenticeship vs university
As a degree apprentice, Christabel will earn her degree in construction management from Sheffield Hallam University whilst she works full time as a trainee site manager.
“Having my university fees covered by Kier instead of a student loan is a huge bonus of doing an apprenticeship. Plus, I get to earn a salary whilst I study towards my degree too which is amazing!” Christabel explains.
“At the end of the day, I will graduate with the same degree as someone who went to university full time, but without any of the debt!” she adds.
“I was really happy to join Kier, it’s been great so far and I’ve had lots of support in my first few months. Having the apprentice induction event was great too. It was a good opportunity to meet people coming into the business like me, and others who have been here a while,” she added.
Throughout the year, Christabel will attend university in person during dedicated block weeks with all travel and accommodation paid for by the business. Her course will take about five years to complete, where she’ll graduate with a degree in construction management.
Working as a trainee site manager
A normal day for Christabel as a trainee site manager is everchanging. She works alongside people who have been at Kier, and within the construction industry for a long time, which she’s found really valuable.
“We’ll do a site walk each day, doing regular markups of work to track progress, daily checks, and making sure that the project is progressing. I spend a lot of time talking with our subcontractors and the wider teams on the project, which I enjoy a lot. It sounds like a cliché to say but no two days are ever the same for me,” Christabel said.
Inspiring women into construction, Christabel absolutely sees herself as a change-maker. “The construction industry is a historically male-dominated industry, and I want to be part of the change. I want to encourage young people, young girls and women in general to be a part of what we’re doing, and show them that anyone can succeed here,” she told me.
“I was definitely surprised, in a good way, when I came to Kier though. I was really happy to see loads of other girls at the induction event, other girls following their hearts and coming into the industry,” she added.
As part of her work to drive change in the industry, Christabel has volunteered herself to be part of some of our social media content already. A real natural in front of the camera!
However, one of her main projects right now is an Instagram account called @theconstructgirlies that she runs, with a goal to inspire more women into the construction industry.
They share their experiences and promote what it’s like to work in construction.
Their followers are constantly growing, with exciting content shared including FAQs, career tips and day in the life videos.
“Working in construction, I do think we have a platform to make a difference. Our Instagram account is one of the ways we can do that,” she said. “So many people use social media now, and I think we can use it as a power of good,” she added.
Using her platform to inspire others is exactly what Christabel plans on doing. With key events like National Careers Week, National Apprenticeship Week and Open Doors Week coming up in 2025, it’s a great time to be able to learn more about the work we do at Kier, and what a career might look like for you, with us.
Find out more about our apprenticeships and sign up to job alerts to be the first to hear about new vacancies.
