FEATURE: MACHINERY
Encouraging Industry Diversity
Preconceptions of women in construction are changing with building sites and factory workshops no longer considered female-free zones. Stewart Milne Timber Systems and its in-house training is enabling change across the factory floor.
A
lthough the industry has been trying
Aimee Bascombe, SMTS
Although Aimee had never worked in the
employee. In-house training and mentoring from
to tackle the perceptions and close
construction industry before, she was keen to
experienced operatives and management allows
the gender gap, young women are
learn new skills and believed SMTS would give
previously inexperienced recruits to flourish and
often reluctant to consider a career in
her all the support required to develop and hone
a dedicated factory trainer has been appointed to
construction, particularly if they have
her skills. Since starting, Aimee’s confidence has
allow all employees to develop.
no relevant skills or experience in the sector. Factory operative, Aimee Bascombe, was
grown, so much so that she has even delivered
Stevie Mitchell, factory manager at Westhill,
training to newer members of staff, including
explains: “By providing our own in-house training,
a self-confessed ‘DIY disaster zone’ before
new colleague, Sarah Gall, another factory
we can tailor the content of courses specifically to
she started working for Stewart Milne Timber
operative who started five months ago.
the needs of our business and our staff. This allows
Systems (SMTS). In the past six months Aimee
Previously in logistics, Sarah joined SMTS
employees to gain the knowledge they need and
has not only been trained on the machinery
with a background in HGV transport before
she handles daily but has gained skills and
moving to the factory for a more hands-on role.
confidence as a tradesperson.
With no previous experience of working with
skilled to begin with because our quality in-house
“Before, if something was broken around
develop their skills without leaving the factory. “New recruits are not required to be highly
timber-cutting machinery or in a factory, Sarah
training equips them with the skills they need
the house, I would ask a friend or pay for
has already become a valuable member of the
and avoids the ‘bad habits’ that can be picked
someone to fix it. Now I’ll give it a go myself
factory team.
up from previous experience. As a result, we
because I now know I’m good with my hands. I
Stewart Milne Group recognises that a lack
know that our staff are working the ‘Stewart
really enjoy the work that I do. I applied to SMTS
of experience doesn’t mean a candidate doesn’t
Milne Way’ and to the high standard we expect.
because I wanted a change from my previous job
have the skills necessary to become a valuable
As well as ensuring quality of work, by training
but now, I really feel like I’ve found my vocation:
groups of staff together there is an element of
a job that fits my lifestyle and skill set. I wish I’d
team building that would be missed if staff were
made the move sooner.
trained externally by people they’ve never met.”
“I didn’t have any experience in construction,
Both female factory operatives believe that
but I was unhappy in my previous job as a
the trepidation of entering the construction
courier. My friend, who was working at Stewart
industry is worse than the reality and Aimee
Milne, recommended that I looked into the job
would encourage any woman considering it to
opportunities available. They knew that I liked
take the plunge, saying: “Just go for it. I know
working on my feet and figured I would be
it can be intimidating and you will be worried
attracted by the manual aspect of the job. She
about how you’ll be treated working in a male
also spoke highly of the training on offer, as well
dominated industry but breaking those barriers
as the flexible company benefits including private
is never a bad thing. I am just as appreciated as
healthcare, dental insurance and a good pension
Sarah Gall, SMTS
scheme.”
Spring 2020
34 www.timbermedia.co.uk
my male colleagues and you’ll feel like one of the team in no time.”
