Women In Construction Feature
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: CAMBRIDGESHIRE GRADUATE WORKING IN MANUFACTURING DISCUSSES HOW COMPANY ETHOS CAN ENCOURAGE WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE Throughout my induction into the business as I started my graduate scheme, I saw multiple examples of women in senior positions who had earned promotions internally and it inspired me.
The opportunities and platform provided for women at building products manufacturer Forterra – best known for its production of the famous London Brick – has inspired Operations Manager Graduate Laura Watts. Laura, 24, joined Forterra’s graduate scheme in September 2021 after graduating from Coventry University with a degree in Business Management.
A year’s placement in the automotive industry confirmed to Laura that she wanted to pursue a career in manufacturing. Laura’s experience of being a woman in a male dominated industry has been a positive one, “The working culture and ethos at Forterra mean gender norms are often challenged – they want everyone on a level playing field at all times.”
ASSISTANT SITE MANAGER ENCOURAGES MORE WOMEN INTO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Following International Women’s Day (Tuesday 8 March), assistant site manager Emily Langston is encouraging more women to enter the construction industry. The 24-year-old Vistry Group employee, from Evesham, is keen to shine a light on the vast number of roles that are available to women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. “To any woman considering a career in construction, I’d say go for it”, said Emily. “There’s a whole industry waiting with a scope of opportunities, from roles in land and planning to technical – there’s nothing stopping anyone from achieving their dreams.” Emily joined Vistry - which includes Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships - in November last year.
Prior to joining Vistry, Emily spent five years at housebuilder Taylor Wimpey where she started her career on a twoyear trainee assistant site manager scheme before progressing to assistant site manager.
and love being outdoors, so I knew I didn’t want to be stuck in an office all day long.”
She said: “I wanted a change and was keen to gain experience working for a new housebuilder, and get the experience of working at new sites under my belt.” After finishing school, Emily decided against going to university and instead completed an events and business management course at college.
I had no experience of working in construction, but ever since I secured the trainee site management position, I haven’t looked back.
“I knew university wasn’t for me, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, so I ended up applying for a whole mix of jobs. I do, however, come from a farming background
She is currently based at Vistry’s dualbranded Oaklands development in Hardwicke, Gloucestershire, where she works at both the Bovis Homes and Linden Homes sites. “Although it’s a male-dominated environment, I’m never treated differently on site for being a woman. My team always show me respect, listen to what I have to say and value my opinions. “As I grew up on a farm, working in this kind of environment comes naturally to me – I’m definitely not afraid to be the only woman in the room!”
38 Construction UK Magazine - April 2022
Emily, who also enjoys being outdoors in her spare time, either to play golf or go hiking, added:
Although she’s only been with the company for a few months, Emily already has high hopes of climbing the career ladder at Vistry. She said: “I really value the level of support and guidance I receive from my team. The company supports progression and that’s so important to me. The next step up is site manager and after that, area build manager - I want to get all the way to the top and I definitely feel as though I’m at the right company to achieve that. “I get involved with all sorts on site, like ordering materials and monitoring health and safety regulations. What I love most about the job is seeing the daily progress of each house being built – and how much I get to be outdoors!” For more information about careers with Vistry Group, visit vistrygroup.co.uk
