A Somerset teenager who has already become a high-flier on the hockey pitch now wants to put her brilliant team skills and determination to good use as a sales trainee with a leading housebuilder.
Seventeen-year-old Alex Chilcott, who went to Queen’s College in Taunton, played hockey at a regional level for the West of England while she also captained her school team.
She says hockey has shown her how to make a difference whilst still pulling together as a team as well as how to fight for success both on and off the pitch.
Now she hopes to put those skills to good use as a sales trainee with Persimmon Homes South West.
Alex played hockey for seven years for her club Taunton Vale, at county level for Somerset and also for the region.
She left school after a two-week hockey tour of South Africa and, despite having 10 GCSEs, decided not to pursue education any more as she wanted to begin her career with Persimmon Homes.
She said: “University costs such a lot now and not many people get a job afterwards, especially doing what they studied. I have always wanted to be in sales and so I applied to Persimmon Homes South West. I was overjoyed when I was given the job and love working here as everyone is very friendly.”
She started with the group last September as a sales trainee and has quickly made a good impression. She is studying for a NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration and will also go on to Level 3 and Level 4. She also goes on site one day a week at Heathfield Gardens, a development in Bathpool, near Taunton.
She added: “It will take four years to finish my training, but there is a guaranteed job at the end of it. I’m working towards being a sales co-ordinator at head office. I handle the paperwork and it is useful going onsite as I understand more about how they progress their paperwork.
“I have also helped with a home demonstration and understand more about the role of a sales advisor so it gives me a real overview of the sales department team. The people I work with are really great. As a trainee, you can be a bit nervous but everyone is really nice and I like going to meet the customers and enjoy meeting people.”
Nina Hester, sales and marketing director of Persimmon Homes South West, said: “Alex is doing exceptionally well with us at head office. It works well sending her out onsite one day a week together with her training at college and in the office. It is giving her a thorough grounding in how the sales department functions and she really has a bright future ahead with us.”