CITB Nomination: Alethea 'Thea' Pepper

With the shortlist due to be announced very soon, we couldn't be more excited to share with you all more information about our very own nominees for this year's CITB 100 Influential Women in Construction award...so first up, meet Alethea 'Thea' Pepper.

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Thea is currently hard at work on site at Taverners Field in Exeter for our valued client, E G Carter & Co Ltd.  It's almost unbelievable to imagine that Thea has only been in groundworks for less than a year - her skill, attention to detail and drive are nothing short of inspirational. You'd be hard pushed to find a more motivated groundworker, who genuinely loves her job, is keen to learn and gives 100% come rain or shine! We couldn't think of a better nominee within the 'One to Watch' category and we're absolutely rooting for her!

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Ordinarily, as part of a nomination that focuses on the success of someone in their role I wouldn't think it relevant to talk about their background prior to their current career - but in Thea's case I think it's both extremely relevant and gives you some idea of the challenges she's faced in her life that she's had to overcome, in order to be able to pursue her career in groundworks. Additionally I think it speaks to the determination and motivation she has shown, in order to get to where she is today - and continues to be reflected in her approach to her day-to-day work on-site.

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Thea comes from a challenging background, and left school aged 12, subsequently spending a lot of time within male-dominated groups who were (in her own words) 'the wrong side of the tracks'. Thea was brought up around men who believed a woman's worth was is how she looks and what she can do for a man, something that has undoubtedly fuelled her ambition to prove them wrong - by taking on and mastering a role, that to many is still very much considered a 'mans work'. Having struggled to find a job, and believing this to be due to her lack of educational certificates - Thea decided to attend college in order to complete her GCSE's. After successfully completing her GCSE's, and having an interest in what construction may have to offer - Thea decided to get her CSCS card. It is worth noting that this was entirely off her own back, and without the support of an employer to help her. Once Thea obtained her CSCS card, she worked as an agency worker for a short time before she was snapped-up by Dean Connor from El Machino's, one of our trusted subcontractors who we firmly consider to be part of our team.

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Fast forward 7 months and Thea has cemented herself as an already highly skilled groundworker as part of an oversight gang, with an exponentially bright future ahead of her in construction. As one of a small number of highly respected and reliable subcontractors we work with, we consider ourselves very lucky to have Thea work on multiple Champion Groundworks projects. She is both a pleasure to work with and her determination is infectious. Talking about what it's like being a woman within a male-dominated workplace, Thea said "when I come to work, I not a woman. I'm a groundworker" and I honestly don't think there's a better way to describe Thea's mentality, attitude and approach to work.

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Thea is passionate about being a good role model for women who are keen to start a career 'on the tools' and is already trying to break down some of the barriers for them through her social media activity.

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Good luck with your nomination Thea, from your entire Champion Groundworks family.

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