Jack Pendle

Said the following about Cloe Bott:

“Cloe joined VolkerRail in 2015 as an overhead line apprentice and in collaboration with Network Rail Cloe was enrolled onto their apprenticeship programme at HMS Sultan in Portsmouth.

Cloe embraced the challenges of being based away from home, for the first time in her life and entered what has traditionally been a male dominated environment of railway infrastructure engineering. True to her character she embraced these challenges head on and knuckled down to the tasks that lay before her. She instantly became involved in the apprenticeship and demonstrated a thirst for learning that earned the respect and admiration of her peers and her instructors at HMS Sultan.

On the occasions that Cloe has returned to the overhead line division in Doncaster she has excelled in everything she has undertaken, impressing her mentors and managers at VolkerRail and is definitely seen as a star of the future. She has a desire to exceed and as a result of this she goes way beyond what is expected of her. She is equally at home in the office or on site on those cold, wet nights when the real work is undertaken.

Cloe is always the first to volunteer for extracurricular activities whether this is participating in charitable events or representing the company at external events. To date Cloe has represented the company at Teen Tech and the Big Bang event, showcasing VolkerRail and the rail industry to potential recruits to the industry.

At a recent event organised by the National College for High Speed Rail for potential student enrolment Cloe engaged with visitors to the event and really sold the rail industry earning the praise of the organiser.

I see a long and bright future ahead for this rising star“

Sue Diggles

Said the following about Cloe Bott:

“Cloe has volunteered on several occasions throughout her apprenticeship to assist the company in promoting both apprenticeships and engineering subjects to potential school leavers at local events.

Her enthusiasm for her subject and the opportunity she has to combine work experience and academic qualifications through the apprenticeship scheme clearly shows through her interaction with the students. She has assisted others in running engineering exercises at schools events, which has given young people of all diversities the opportunity to experience hands on engineering problems linked to STEM subjects, and discuss career opportunities within the industry.“

Tina Cator

Said the following about Cloe Bott:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Cloe on several projects and believe her contribution to VolkerRails and Networks Rails apprenticeship programme and her belief in helping the young of tomorrow enter the railway industry is commendable.

Cloe shows maturity beyond her years. Not only has she been able to attend meetings and present her experiences to senior directors in the business with ease but Cloe has shown extraordinary passion at STEM events and school leaver exhibits to help showcase what the railway industry has to offer. So much so that sure is at the top of my ambassador list when events are agreed.

Cloe is based in Portsmouth, over 250 miles away from home. Although students do this at university most do not have to juggle a full time job and a full time course at such an age. Regardless of this Cloe has been able to complete all assignments on time and receives high grades.

The Railway industry can be very difficult to work in. With night and weekend shifts in wind, rain, snow or all three. For many this deters people from a career as to is the belief that it is still seen as a male dominated environment. This never seems to been the case for Cloe. For someone at 5foot tall she stands above her counter parts and pushes hard to show her knowledge and understanding in her specialism.

I see Cloe as a driving force and shining example of how women can not only enter and work in the railway industry but dominate. She is a future star and a great ambassador for apprenticeships in this Industry.“