Eliza Tay Lady Decorators & Interior Designers are firm believers that brilliance blooms from opportunity, which is why they are passionate about giving apprentices the chance to shine.
Over the years the company has recruited and trained 12 apprentices, many of whom have attended City College. The owner of the business is Nettie Taylor, whose passion for decorating led to her setting up her award-winning company in 2015. A strong advocate for Apprenticeships and the construction industry, Nettie has been formally recognised as one of the most influential women in the sector.
Her relationship with City College and the Apprenticeship programme goes back to the early days of the business. As work began to increase, she employed her stepdaughter Aimee as her first apprentice, and since then she has helped a succession of young women to hone their decorating skills and make their way in the world.
“I’d wholeheartedly encourage anyone in the construction sector to take on at least one apprentice; they can make a world of difference to your business,” says Nettie. She currently leads a team that includes two apprentices, having trained others along the way as she forged a niche in the marketplace.
Her strong belief in Apprenticeships stems from a variety of reasons: they help businesses grow by bringing in valuable skills and added capacity; they have minimal disruption to day-to-day operations; they come with financial incentives; and they offer access to high-quality candidates through City College. Just as important is the longstanding relationship she has built with the College, which ensures she always has someone to turn to for support when needed.
“I care deeply about the business, and I genuinely love Apprenticeships,” she adds. “They combine two of my greatest passions, training people in their craft and decorating. For me, it’s the perfect combination.”
The financial incentives are provided through the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), which offers regular grants throughout a typical three-year Apprenticeship. These are paid quarterly and upon completion of the programme. “That support is invaluable. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to take on all these young women,” Nettie explains. “It makes Apprenticeships genuinely affordable for businesses, and I’m always out there spreading the word – if your company needs support, take on an apprentice. You’ll benefit enormously. Because they’re eager to learn, you can train them to meet the needs of your business while also embracing the unique skills they bring. I’m literally helping to shape the next generation of female decorators.”
Apprentices spend one day per week at the College learning new skills and the other four days working on the job. Nettie is quick to highlight the relationship that has developed with the College, praising the recruitment process as “quick and easy” and pointing to the fact that paperwork is kept to a minimum because most of it is picked up by the College. Tutors visit regularly to assess the apprentice and a regular report is produced to ensure the right progress is made. “All of that is important because it keeps my involvement in the process down and allows me to concentrate on my business,” she adds. “I need to know that whoever comes in through the door is as passionate and hungry as I am, and the College understands exactly the type of person I’m looking for so I only receive the very best applicants, which saves me a lot of time. That relationship is incredibly important to me.”
Apprentices have played an integral role in Eliza Tay’s success story. The company was named City College’s Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2025, two team members were national finalists in SkillBuild, and they have even appeared on BBC’s DIY SOS. “I always have apprentices,” says Eliza. “They allow me to take on bigger jobs and grow the business because we get through the work so much faster. Wow, what a difference they’ve made to me!”
