From Hospitality to Construction: Julie-Anne Dodds' Inspiring Career Transformation

Embracing Change in Career

Changing careers can often seem daunting and difficult, but for Julie-Anne Dodds, it has opened doors in a new sector with full support from her employer.

Julie-Anne's Journey

At 40 years old, Julie-Anne from Belfast transitioned from a 14-year career in tourism and hospitality to become an Assistant Estimator at Gilbert Ash. Currently, she is in the second year of a Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Construction Management at SERC’s Bangor Campus.

After completing her GCSEs, Julie-Anne pursued an AVCE in Travel and Tourism at a local further education college, leading her to various roles in hotels and cruise ships.

Motivation for Change

Her last position was as a duty manager at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast. Julie-Anne stated, “The motivation for change was the unsociable hours my posts demanded. I had years of experience, but I needed a new challenge.”

She began working at a helpdesk for a facilities maintenance firm but found it challenging to progress. However, the experience gained there enabled her to move to Gilbert Ash, where she has been for the past two and a half years.

Support and Development

At Gilbert Ash, she has been encouraged to develop her qualifications, including support to complete her HLA. Julie-Anne enjoys her work, particularly negotiating budgets and building relationships with clients and subcontractors. She emphasizes the satisfaction of achieving good prices for projects.

Education and Encouragement

Julie-Anne shared that she thoroughly enjoys progressing her qualifications through the HLA, stating that the course content is aligned with her daily work. She encourages other women to consider a career in construction and explore the apprenticeship route, noting that returning to education was less daunting than expected.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Julie-Anne hopes to enhance her qualifications further with a HND or degree after completing her HLA. She feels optimistic about her career progression and the opportunities available in the construction industry.

SERC is hosting Information and Apprenticeships - Have a Go Sessions during NI Apprenticeship Week for those interested in exploring similar paths.