Riswana – Engineer
Riswana came to Women into Construction (WiC), after completing her MSc. Construction Project and Cost Management at Coventry University. Before her studies in the UK she had been working as a Junior Engineer in her native India but was still struggling to find employment due to a lack of UK experience and limited confidence in her ability to make job applications.
Riswana joined our HS2 Cohort in January 2023 and started our bespoke employment programme with the aim to build her self-confidence, resilience, and self-awareness.
As part of the programme, Riswana successfully completed training which included a Level 1 Health & Safety qualification and the CITB HSE test for Managers and Professionals so that she could receive her CSCS card. Following this, Riswana started a two-week work placement with the HS2 Project Management team at Curzon Street Station, Birmingham and also spent with the Stakeholder Engagement Team.
Activities were varied and included:
- Presentation Planning – ‘How would you make Curzon Street Station a success?’
- Attended an evening ‘Meet the Contractor’ event
- Project Controls, Architectural & Engineering overviews
- Site Visit to Masshouse and Curzon Street Station
- Insight to 3D modelling (CAD/ BIM)
- Configuration Management
- Rail interfacing session
Riswana successfully completed the programme and the WiC team (Project Manager Steph Sheppard and Project Coordinator, Jade Jenkins) then provided her with 1-2-1 support and help to apply for jobs.
We are delighted that Riswana secured a job as an Engineer for Mott MacDonald!
Speaking about her time on the programme, Riswana said; ‘I have developed my communication skills, especially communicating through camera, interview and CV making skills, I have a boost in confidence. WiC and the programme helped me better than my expectations.’
Congratulations Riswana, we are very proud of you!
For details on current Women into Construction programmes, including the latest HS2 Cohort, please visit our programmes page.
