From School Leaver to CITB Customer Engagement Manager: My Journey in Construction and Lifelong Learning

From unexpected beginnings to long and fulfilling careers, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who bring the construction industry to life. In this series, we explore how they started out, the journeys that led them to where they are today and the inspiring moments that define their work.

Join us as we meet Sandra Stevens, a Customer Engagement Manager at CITB.

When I left school, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do. I wasn’t particularly academic and couldn’t wait to finish my studies. Back then, the curriculum offered me options like manual typing on typewriters and cooking - skills that, while still useful today, didn’t ignite any real passion in me.

After leaving school, I worked in an office for a while but quickly realised I wanted more from life. That’s when I decided to join the RAF and work on aircraft - a surprising choice considering I’d never even picked up a spanner before! I began the application process, but unsurprisingly, I failed the entrance exams in mechanical and electrical fields. However, I was given the option to either choose another trade or retake the exams in six months. I chose the latter, spent the next six months studying at the library, successfully passing the exams on my second attempt.

I then completed five years of service as an Aircraft Mechanic specialising in Airframes, an achievement I am incredibly proud of. As one of the few women in a technical trade, it wasn’t always easy, but it was an experience I would not trade for anything.

After my time in the RAF, I transitioned into Advanced Manufacturing, working as a CNC setter/operator in a Machine Shop for a Japanese technology company. Once again, I was the first woman to hold this role, but my experience in the RAF helped me quickly integrate into the team. In total, I spent 12 years working hands-on ‘on the tools’.

Fast forward several years, which included raising a child, being self-employed, and refurbishing a couple of houses. Like many others, I found myself unemployed during the 2009 recession. I saw this as an opportunity to return to education and re-enter the engineering field, though I wasn’t sure how to go about it.

A whirlwind of events led me to my local Adult Education College’s IAG centre. With only 3 O-Levels and 1 GCSE, I enrolled in a BSc Construction Management course, leveraging my prior experiences. Although I was initially terrified, I loved every second of it and graduated three years later with First Class Honours. This achievement sparked my love for learning, and I went on to earn a PG Certificate, an MSc and a Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management. It turns out that I was academic all along—I just needed to find something I was passionate about!

After graduating, I applied the skills I had learned through my degree and my hands-on experience to a three-year work-based learning project with the University of Wolverhampton in Automotive Manufacturing. This project ignited my passion for lifelong learning, leading me to my current role as Customer Engagement Manager for CITB. Here, I draw on a lifetime of knowledge, skills, and experience - ranging from productivity, quality management and sustainability - to support employers and industry stakeholders in my region.

My journey highlights the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability, showing that with the right mindset and opportunities, anyone can find their passion and excel in their chosen field.