WITH exam results on the horizon for many young people across the region, thoughts are turning to next steps and future careers.

Three women at different stages of their careers with Ewloe-based Anwyl Homes have been speaking about the opportunities available in the construction industry in the hope others will follow in their footsteps.

The youngest of the trio at the Flintshire company, is Lilly Holt, 19, from Hawarden, who believes housebuilding should be at the forefront of teenagers' minds when looking for careers with the best prospects.

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The commercial trainee, who joined Anwyl eight months ago after her A-levels, said: "There are numerous opportunities within construction, offering varied career pathways from marketing to quantity surveying and engineering."

Lilly is keen to encourage other young women not to overlook an industry that may be perceived as male-dominated. "It can be daunting to enter a predominantly male industry, but I've met many intelligent women at Anwyl who are thriving," she said. "Starting young can be intimidating too, especially walking onto a site for the first time, but everyone has been incredibly welcoming."

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She added: "I've always been fascinated by the industry and intrigued by different types of buildings and the processes behind their construction. Even as a child, playing The Sims or watching Grand Designs fuelled my passion for housing. But the industry is not just about building houses. Roles in commercial, such as quantity surveying and purchasing, involve meticulous measuring, accuracy, and number crunching. I love working in a sector I'm passionate about and starting a career I've always wanted."

Maya Waud, 24, also from Flintshire, joined the industry as an apprentice with housing association Cartrefi Conwy. The qualifications she has since gained 'on the job' coupled with her rapid progression to land buyer show the opportunities available for personnel development.

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She said: "My route into the industry was through a housing apprenticeship at 18. I liked the idea of studying a qualification alongside earning money and gaining experience in the working world. I've since completed a HND in construction technology and have one year left of a four-year degree in construction management.

"Construction is such a vast industry, with a wide array of career paths - whether you're interested in land acquisition, architectural design, project management or working on site. The industry is constantly changing so there's always something new to learn, which means your career remains both challenging and rewarding."

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Lucy Crawford, 37, from Liverpool, is a senior development engineer at Anwyl, and turned to construction after initially considering a law career.

A graduate of Liverpool John Moores University in geology, Lucy said she quickly realised she wanted a practical career and enjoyed working outdoors.

She said: "With so many different disciplines involved, there is a role within construction to suit anybody. There is also a tangible satisfaction to the job when you see design and ideas work well.

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"There may still be an external stigma around women occupying certain roles within construction but the reality is, it's a very welcoming industry. There are more and more women occupying senior and managerial roles within housebuilding. I have found that if you have a skill and an aptitude for a job, talent will be recognised and rewarded."

• Anwyl offers a range of apprenticeships and trainee programmes that combine on-the-job training with the chance to work towards recognised qualifications.

For more on building your career with Anwyl visit www.anwylgroup.co.uk/careers