Tracy Devonport has been an Administration Clerk at Selco for 3 and a half years and has since completed a Bronze Stars apprenticeship. She shares her apprenticeship journey and her experiences.
My name is Tracey Devonport. I started a Bronze Stars apprenticeship in April 2024 for 15 months. I have been with Selco Wolverhampton for 3 ½ years as an Administration Clerk. My first 6 months were spent at the trade desk to get some experience of the clientele that we serve and gain some knowledge of the products that we supply.
The day-to-day responsibilities of my role are balancing cash and banking, checking tills on and off for the day depending on which shift I am on, checking Goods in paperwork, general admin duties and covering the trade desk for lunch breaks.
Before joining the Building Materials sector, Tracy didn’t let working in a male-dominated industry stop her: I came for an interview, and I already knew what the business was about, i.e. Builders Merchants. I came from the motor trade of 27 years’ service. I never really thought about being in a male industry at all as being in the motor trade it was mainly men but a lot of women too, i.e. paint sprayers, panel beaters, service technicians, parts department, van drivers, receptionists etc.
Beginning an apprenticeship helped Tracy discover new skills in her career: I didn’t know about the career’s apprenticeship until it became available on our warehouse site, I was interested so I applied. I have developed lots of skills that I am very proud of during my time at Selco, such as working the tills. I have developed excellent customer service skills and, gaining product knowledge all the time, promotional skills, I like to develop my skills in all manners of trade.
Tracy shares that she found inspiration and support from her team: I looked to my store manager and trade desk manager for guidance and that is what helped me make my decision to move forward to do bronze stars.
On the changes she’s seen since joining the industry, Tracy says: I have noticed that we have a diverse range of customers from builders to DIYer, also we have a multi-cultural customer base.
I have conversed with some of my women colleagues from young to older, the younger colleague was a bit overwhelmed when she started because of the male environment and having learnt products and has been here for a while now. She is very comfortable in her role. Older females are a bit more experienced on how to handle situations etc.
Thinking that we are unable to do a role when we can. Maybe, we should think that we are people not just male and female. In my experience I have found that it is one of the least gender-biased environments that I have worked in.
On looking to the future, Tracy is looking to develop in her career: I enjoy my role here and hope I can further my career and knowledge.
