Name: Jess Jonas
Title: Bid management trainee, Wates
What I do: I am an apprentice at Wates and currently work in our construction business to support our bid team in new bids, from concept through to fruition.
Why I got into the property industry: When I was looking for an apprenticeship, I knew I wanted to do something a bit different and didn’t want to do some of things that can be traditionally ‘suggested’ for young women.
How I did it: I found Wates online when searching for an apprenticeship. I registered my interest and had a call the next day with the early careers team, explaining to them why I applied and why I was interested. I then went through the interview process and was offered a role.
My first proper job: This! I started as a bid and proposals coordinator apprentice at Wates when I was 16 and fresh out of my GCSEs.
My first big break: As I am only 18, I haven’t had a big break yet, but I am ready for it when it comes.
My inspiration(s): Everyone around me. The people I work with have so much experience and knowledge – they are truly experts in their field, and it inspires me every day to get to that point.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Learning about myself, how to manage my work and how to balance multiple different tasks at the same time.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Finishing my level three apprenticeship and getting on the Wates Trainee Programme.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: It is only for men.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Women are still under-represented, although thankfully that is changing.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Being a woman in construction, I feel it is my place to promote women in the industry and help educate younger women that the construction industry is very different to what many people might think and that there are lots of career opportunities.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: In a couple of years’ time, I will finish my apprenticeship and I am hoping to be promoted to assistant bid manager. I would like to stay in this role to get the exposure and further knowledge to be able to do my job to a high standard. After getting some experience, I would then be interested to move into customer experience and business development.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Gordan Ramsay (to cook), The Queen (to find out what it’s really like to be in the royal family), Harry Styles (to find out if One Direction are ever going to get back together), my late great nanny, because she loved The Queen so much!
What I do in my downtime: I like to spend my downtime running and I am currently training for my first half marathon. I also like spending time with my friends exploring new cities and countries.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Hospitality, maybe restaurants or hotels, something to do with dogs or a travel blogger.
My advice for someone just starting out: It may be hard in the beginning with the long hours and responsibility but stick at it – you will become more confident in yourself and be able to do things you never thought you’d be able to.
My motto/mantra: ‘You never know!’
National Apprenticeship Week took place between 5 to 11 February 2024. To find out more about the initiative visit the government’s apprenticeships website.
