CARPENTRY apprentice Chelbie Jones, from Pembroke, is chipping away at the stereotype that only men can build a career in construction.

Helping the 17-year-old, who is a second year apprentice at Pembrokeshire College, on her way is the Shared Apprenticeship Scheme, supported by Cyfle Building Skills.

Cyfle aims to help young adults get a foot on the employment ladder within the construction industry.

It has been set up to help employers who want to support the development of skills but are not in a position to offer a full term apprenticeship.

The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme consists of a full day of classroom-based teaching at the college and four days with a local employer. Currently working for Morganstone Construction in Pembroke, Chelbie is already laying floors, hanging joists on roofs and using heavy-duty cutting machinery.

“Originally I wanted to study Travel and Tourism, but fortunately I didn’t get one of my grades so I chose Carpentry, and I haven’t looked back since.

"The boys on site treat me as an equal, there is always plenty of healthy banter," said Chelbie.

The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme offers youngsters the breadth of opportunity of working with different types of construction companies within Pembrokeshire.

Part-funded by the Welsh Government and the CITB, apprentices are also given a unique experience of working on international building projects including; a grain store and mill in Uganda and next year a maternity unit.

“Chelbie is benefitting greatly from the work experience that she is gaining through Morganstone, which has a exemplary track record churning out high calibre apprentices,” said Paul Falzon from Cyfle.

"The future is bright for Chelbie, she is a great role model for those young women who want to learn new skills that are not stereotypical and for those eager to break through barriers," added Mr Falzon.

Chelbie was also recently named a CITB Construction Ambassador, and during the next year she will be representing women in the industry at local schools, college open days and construction events.