Hayley has enjoyed a rapid rise with the business since joining as an Internal Salesperson under our Interiors specialism in 2017, before being promoted to Senior Sales in 2022. In August 2025, she was promoted to her current role of Business Unit Manager, responsible for our Structural and Construction Products divisions, requiring Hayley to learn a new area of the business in addition to her first management role.
Hayley comments: “I have come a long way since I started at Encon and have learned so much over the years, helping me to progress into my new role. There has been so much to learn, but Encon has helped me develop the skills I need by supporting me through my apprenticeship. Emma Lowe, [Regional Director – South East] and Kevin Holden [Branch Manager, West London] have been integral in finding the apprenticeship for me and ensuring I have everything I need during the course.
“I enrolled in October and am still very new to both my role and the apprenticeship so the last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but the skills I have learned are already helping me get to grips with everything. The course material covers subjects and tools I encounter every day such as CRMs and compliance responsibilities, as well as soft skills like email prioritisation and time management – which I think we can all agree is key in this industry!”
Apprenticeships are a highly valuable means of learning new skills alongside employment, particularly given the growing skills gap in construction. The misconception that apprenticeships are only for school leavers in vocational careers is being debunked, with professionals from all careers, backgrounds and ages benefitting from the qualifications by developing skills for life.
Hayley explains: “As well as the practical skills I have learned, my apprenticeship has also helped me build my confidence and get out of my comfort zone. Part of the assessment is to record a 10-minute audio presentation about an aspect of my role, which definitely doesn’t come naturally to me, but is both highly relevant to my day-to-day work and develops soft skills which I can use both professionally and personally.
“I’d recommend an apprenticeship for anybody wanting to develop themselves and open new opportunities to progress their careers, as well as getting a qualification at the end. Encon has supported me in my career journey so far, helping me take my first steps in management, and I hope my apprenticeship will allow me to keep developing and learning every day.
Find out more about working at Encon, including opportunities to develop your career through The Encon Academy.
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