Hazel Goodall reflects on an inspiring first year as a trainee at Wates Residential
Hazel Goodall reflects on her first year as a trainee at Wates Residential.
In 2022, Hazel Goodall made the leap from the health and fitness industry, where she worked as a swimming and gym instructor in the Vale of Glamorgan, into the world of Residential construction.
Her first role in the sector was with Barratt David Wilson Homes in Sales and Customer Care, but it was the hands-on interactions with site teams and opportunities to get involved in snagging that really ignited her passion for building. Recognising her potential, her colleagues in the site team encouraged her to pursue a trainee role within the house-building sector.
Driven by curiosity and ambition, Hazel researched the Wates Management Trainee Scheme, a programme designed for those eager to earn while they learn. After navigating a competitive application process that included a digital form, recorded video interviews, and an assessment centre day, she secured her place in the Residential Operations Team in Cardiff.
Alongside her work, Hazel is completing an NVQ Level 4 in Construction Site Supervision (Building and Civil Engineering) and a HNC in Construction Management at Cardiff and Vale College, putting her studies into practice daily on-site.
One of her earliest projects, Maple Fields in Llanrumney, proved a pivotal learning experience. Guided by Project Manager John Coburn, Hazel gained invaluable insights into on-site processes, benefiting from mentorship that challenged and encouraged her to grow into her role with confidence.
Looking ahead, she is set to complete her current studies before progressing to a BSc (Hons). Construction Project Management degree. Her sights are firmly set on her next goal: becoming a section manager.
I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I wish I’d known sooner about the career options available to me in construction. I’d like to see more education on careers and pathways for high school and college students.”
Hazel Goodall
Production Management Trainee
