Michelle Veasey wins Adversity Award!
Michelle Veasey, who trained at the Women’s Construction Centre now working for Henry Boot, wins “adversity award”
Michelle left school at 16 without any qualifications. She was in and out of hospital throughout her childhood due to an abnormal kidney and her school life suffered. On leaving school, Michelle went to work for Sheffield City Council working in the care sector.
At 30 Michelle got married and had two children. When her second child was only a few months old Michelle felt she had no alternative but to leave the relationship due to her husband’s violence. She moved into social housing without furniture or household possessions and with a baby and a toddler to care for. With no support, Michelle had to stop work to look after her son and daughter.
When the children were a little older, Michelle decided that she wanted a career rather than just a job. She went to Sheffield College and did a women’s joinery course, a DIY course and furniture making. Sheffield College put her in touch with the Women’s Construction Centre where she did plastering courses. She was so enthusiastic that she then became a maintenance worker one morning a week. Christmas was fast approaching and Michelle was fed up living on benefits and through the Women’s Construction Centre she was advised to get in touch with Henry Boot to become an adult apprentice.
Michelle is now the only female tradesperson working for Henry Boot. Michelle recently won the SYCTG Achievement Through Adversity Award. She received a special trophy and £500 from SYCTG – she was going to spend this on a chop saw, but Henry Boot offered to buy her one instead, in recognition of her hard work and commitment since joining the company.
We admire Michelle’s determination to overcome all her personal problems to achieve her goal in becoming a qualified Joiner.
Michelle left school at 16 without any qualifications. She was in and out of hospital throughout her childhood due to an abnormal kidney and her school life suffered. On leaving school, Michelle went to work for Sheffield City Council working in the care sector.
At 30 Michelle got married and had two children. When her second child was only a few months old Michelle felt she had no alternative but to leave the relationship due to her husband’s violence. She moved into social housing without furniture or household possessions and with a baby and a toddler to care for. With no support, Michelle had to stop work to look after her son and daughter.
When the children were a little older, Michelle decided that she wanted a career rather than just a job. She went to Sheffield College and did a women’s joinery course, a DIY course and furniture making. Sheffield College put her in touch with the Women’s Construction Centre where she did plastering courses. She was so enthusiastic that she then became a maintenance worker one morning a week. Christmas was fast approaching and Michelle was fed up living on benefits and through the Women’s Construction Centre she was advised to get in touch with Henry Boot to become an adult apprentice.
Michelle is now the only female tradesperson working for Henry Boot. Michelle recently won the SYCTG Achievement Through Adversity Award. She received a special trophy and £500 from SYCTG – she was going to spend this on a chop saw, but Henry Boot offered to buy her one instead, in recognition of her hard work and commitment since joining the company.
We admire Michelle’s determination to overcome all her personal problems to achieve her goal in becoming a qualified Joiner.
