{"id":515462,"date":"2025-03-04T12:24:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=515462"},"modified":"2025-03-04T14:36:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T14:36:30","slug":"the-importance-of-visibility-for-women-in-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/sections\/long-reads\/opinion\/the-importance-of-visibility-for-women-in-construction-04-03-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of visibility for women in construction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poppy Whittle is a technical trainee at Keepmoat<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

When I first stepped into the construction industry at just 16, I wasn\u2019t entirely sure what to expect. It\u2019s no secret that construction has long been a male-dominated field, and I wasn\u2019t sure if I\u2019d be working with many other women. I also didn\u2019t expect how much I would grow to love it!<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen young women see others like them flourishing in construction it makes the path feel more accessible and more inclusive\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I started my career at MCI Developments as a technical and land administrator and now, at 19, I\u2019m a technical trainee. My journey has been a real mix of hands-on learning and more traditional education.<\/p>\n

When I joined, I attended college one day a week to complete my ONC in civil engineering, knowing that gaining technical knowledge would be crucial to my success. I also made sure to get involved in internal and external meetings, taking notes to get a better understanding of the different processes and aspects within the technical department. Balancing work and study was challenging at times, but the support I received from my tutors, colleagues and family made all the difference.<\/p>\n

No two days are the same<\/h3>\n

One of the things I love about my role is the variety it brings. No two days are the same. Some days, I\u2019m in meetings taking notes, absorbing as much knowledge as I can from engineers, consultants and site teams. Other days, I\u2019m more hands-on, contributing to technical processes that help bring housing projects to life. Seeing a finished home, knowing that I played a role in making it happen, fills me with a sense of pride and accomplishment.<\/p>\n

Despite my positive experiences, I can\u2019t ignore the challenges that women face in this industry. While things are changing, there are still fewer women in the industry, especially within leadership roles.\u00a0 However at MCI Developments and across Keepmoat, I get the pleasure of working with inspirational women in leadership roles across multiple disciplines including technical, construction, land and HR.<\/p>\n

Visibility is so important. When young women see others like them flourishing in construction it makes the path feel more accessible and more inclusive. That\u2019s why I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to mentor another young woman completing her work experience at MCI through the Women into Construction initiative.<\/p>\n

By sharing my journey, I hope to show her and others that construction isn\u2019t just a place for men and that it really is such a rewarding and valuable career. Mentoring has also been a learning experience for me. It has allowed me to develop leadership skills, build my confidence and reflect on how much I\u2019ve grown since I first started my career.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m really proud that my hard work has been recognised too – I recently headed up to Keepmoat\u2019s head office in Doncaster where I was presented with a company award.<\/p>\n

Education and training opportunities are also key. MCI has supported me in developing my knowledge and skills. I\u2019ve completed an asbestos training course, and legal documentation training, and I\u2019m now working toward my HNC in civil engineering, which is equivalent to the first year of a university degree.<\/p>\n

Lastly, creating a more inclusive workplace culture is crucial. While attitudes are shifting, there\u2019s still work to be done in making job sites and offices more welcoming to women. This includes fostering environments where women\u2019s contributions are valued and ensuring there are clear paths for career progression.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited about my future in construction. I look forward to bolstering my leadership skills and helping other women step into the industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Poppy Whittle is a technical trainee at Keepmoat When I first stepped into the construction industry at just 16, I wasn\u2019t entirely sure what to expect. It\u2019s no secret that construction has long been a male-dominated field, and I wasn\u2019t sure if I\u2019d be working with many other women. I also didn\u2019t expect how much …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":515651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[586,567],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n