Lisa achieved a BSc Hons Degree in Construction Engineering and Management at University. When she initially graduated, the country was still recovering from the recession and graduate posts were quite hard to come by, so Lisa took a contracts administrative role in a construction company. As the country began to emerge from the recession, a graduate engineering role became available in the company Lisa was working in, so she then went out to site as a trainee site engineer. Lisa worked in this role for approximately a year and a half before progressing into a trainee site manager position, as she enjoyed managing sites. This led to a progression to a site manager, finally progressing into her current role as a Quality and Environmental Manager for interior fit-out specialist, Portview.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

I am an advocate for woman in construction and always try and push women to the forefront when the opportunity arises. This could be by giving advice to woman starting their career in construction right through to supporting them in their roles. I find that women are sometimes afraid to speak out in certain situations, so I would always advise them to know their job and be confident in their skills, role and most importantly, in themselves.

One memory that really sticks out to me, was when I was presenting to a primary school as part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme a few years ago. A little girl raised her hand and asked ‘Miss, so you’re telling me you’re the chief of all the men on that site?’. That made me in one way quite sad, as even at that age she felt like she couldn’t manage a construction site, but on the other-hand, I was glad I could tell her that ‘yes, you can. You can do anything you want including working in construction, whether it be in an office, as a construction manager, engineer, architect or within a trade.’

From graduating to now, there has been a sizeable shift in the amount of women I see on site, which is such a positive thing and I hope it continues to grow. If anything, it is a very exciting time to be a woman in construction, to champion gender equality and be part of a movement that will pave the way for future generations.

Portview are now a platinum member of WIC and will be offering apprenticeships to its members and offer free career advice. We intend to hold an event in April in partnership with WIC, which I and a number of my female colleagues will be speaking at.

‘Knowledge is power, be the best version of yourself and be confident in your own ability’ 

Working within the charity sector as a Fundraising Manager, Brooke had a corporate partnership with Danny Sullivan Group, who had raised over £100,000 for The National Brain Appeal. Working closely with their team and through building strong relationships, Brooke decided to apply for their CSR Manager position, as she wanted to join the industry to assist in leaving a lasting legacy in the communities we work in.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

I recently decided to organise and lead the delivery of the industry’s first ‘Girls Only’ Virtual Work Experience. 30 young women, aged 15-17, participated in a week-long work experience programme, with workshops led by women in the industry, including two engineers; Hayley Jackson and Francesca Oliver, SCS EDI Advisor, Laura Roche and DSG Head of Client Relations and Business Development, Eibhlin Flynn. Throughout the week we challenged the industry’s stereotypes, talked about opportunities and career pathways and encouraged these young women to be confident in entering a male dominated sector.

I have recently worked with Women into Construction by participating in speed interviews and offering work placements to women considering a career in construction and have become a virtual WiC mentor.

“Be brave, lead by example and be confident in your ability, knowledge and experience”.

Having enjoyed Maths and after seeing a university booklet that showed construction as a good field for people good at Maths, Monica decided to sign up to the degree and see how it went! After her first year of university, Monica looked for an internship to complete along side her degree so she could get a feel for the role – she enjoyed it, particularly the practicality and challenge of the role.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

After a few years of working as a Junior in my first job, I started becoming a mentor for new junior females in the role to give them a better understanding of the construction field and how to overcome the challenges (similar to ones I experienced when I first entered the industry) and to help them succeed in the industry.

‘Don’t let the fear of striking out, stop you from playing the game’

After working in sales across various sectors from flour milling to industrial vacuum systems and working for organisations such as Britvic & Harrow Green Removals, Bev fell into construction when she was headhunted to work as a telesales manager for a large construction company.

Bev has now worked for Willmott Dixon Interiors for almost 10 years but has been in the industry since 1997, working for Overbury & MITIE Interiors which has resulted in “a ‘few’ grey hairs and a thick address book”.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

I am an active member of the Willmott Dixon Women’s Leaders network, which came together to develop a strong pipeline of Willmott Dixon future female leaders and encourage more females into our sector.

Five core ideas were discussed – one being a women’s leadership programme; to develop our future female leaders’ mindset, confidence, capabilities and resilience and support through mentoring. I am so delighted to say after approval of our funding application to the CITB it is now a reality. Having actively sponsored the application I am therefore very passionate about the programme & the benefit to female leadership development.  For me it’s about being the best leader no matter the gender.

As part of this programme I have undergone mentor training which was so worthwhile & hope to be a professional and trusted supporter of my mentee.

I have previously mentored a few females most recently a candidate from our Welcome Back programme.  I found this very fulfilling and was delighted when we offered her a well-deserved full time position with us as an assistant build manager on a large university project in South London.

I was also awarded the Inspire Mentor of the Year award in 2018.

“I am happy with my own brand, are you?”

Carole studied English and French Law at University before working as a trainee solicitor in a London law firm. As part of her training, Carole had the opportunity to spend six months working in a construction law team, which is where she realised her future career progression. Carole had been amazed by the wide variety of projects and felt a strong sense of pride in being part of a team that brought buildings and developments to life.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

When I became the Legal Director of Bouygues UK in 2012, I was the first and only female Legal Director within the wider Bouygues Construction Group.  I was very aware of my responsibility to act as a role model for all my female colleagues, both in the UK and the wider Bouygues Construction community.

I am also a mum and I want my daughter to grow up knowing that anything is possible, with hard work, determination and self-belief.

I have sought to encourage other women in my team and across the business to believe in themselves and their ability to progress and to secure leadership positions, if that is what they want to achieve.  It’s important to recognise that females have a strong voice and much value to add, in what is still a male dominated industry.  Evidence clearly shows that the more diverse and inclusive we are as companies and as an industry, the more successful we will be.

I’m proud to see that the number of women progressing to senior management positions within Bouygues  has increased over the past few years – there’s still more work to be done but we are making progress and we are making a real, positive difference.

Bouygues have continued to work with Women in Construction most recently with Virtual Mentoring Programme which we have supported four women over 4 weeks each candidate either via phone or TEAMS to support them in their career journey.

“Believe in yourself and never be afraid to speak up and ask questions”

Now working at K&T Heating as a senior member of their installations team, Fahmeda started her pathway into construction as an Apprentice in Bid Admin. During her progression, Fahmeda has continued to support those coming through.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

As I progressed from my role as Apprentice Bid Admin to Pre Construction Support, I managed the new Apprentice, where I provided training and support in every way required. I ensured the apprentice saw me as a mentor and felt comfortable to ask me any questions she may have had about her role.

At K&T Heating I have worked in many roles, including the Commercial, Electrical and Installations department to help me get a better understanding in all aspects of the business. I now have the experience to help out within any of the departments as and when I am needed. In my 5 years at K&T heating, I have worked myself up to a senior member of the Installations team, allowing me to train and guide new starters, teaching them from the experience that I have gained.

“Challenge everything, it’s the only path that leads to growth”

Having left school at 18 with A-levels, Rachel was unsure of which career path to take so started an admin role for a flooring subcontractor to fund her ‘gap year’ – and the rest is history. Rachel worked in various departments within the business until she found the Commercial Department, which she enjoyed and excelled in. Shortly after, Rachel made the decision to enrol in a six year part-time Quantity Surveying degree at Oxford Brookes University. Rachel then moved from her job in subcontracting to work in construction for a property developer, Galliard Homes. Now, in the fifth year of her part-time study (and full-time work!) the end of the degree is in sight.

How have you chosen to challenge in your career?

It is an important part of every day life to hold people to account where possible and encourage questioning of stereotypes and bias ‘norms’. I recently challenged a manager on site about his dismissive attitude towards youthful employees and females in contruction. His belief was the only way to aquire knowledge was to have had first hand experience of and ‘sufficient time on the tools’. I highlighted that this view was outdated and there are now many more ways to enter the industry, including from higher education, and many more women are entering the industry in both a trade and management capacity.

“Be the change you want to see.” Mahatma Ghandi