Four students recently attended a ‘Women in Construction’ event, run by Grainger Plc, which aims to inspire students to consider a career in construction, and dispel the myth that it is a male only industry.  Grainger Plc are currently building new homes in Aldershot on a repurposed area previously owned by the Army Garrison.

The day started with a tour of the McGrigor phase of the development.  Built by CALA Homes, this phase consists of 108 homes and includes the conversion of the Victorian era McGrigor Barracks into terraced houses.

The group then heard presentations from women who are working on the site, including Sustainability and Community Managers from Grainger plc, Ecologists from Holbury Consultancy, Engineers from Mayer Brown, Rangers from Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Project Managers from R&M Regeneration Management, and Estate Managers from Strutt & Parker.

The informal nature of the event meant that students were able to ask questions and engage in a dialogue with the speakers, receiving personal advice and guidance.  The key message from the event was that there are numerous routes in to this industry, with options to change roles later in life.

A fantastic additional outcome of the event has been that a number of work experience opportunities have since been arranged for students.  Of particular note, second year student Maddi Mills is now undertaking work experience with a view to completing an apprenticeship with Strutt & Parker.  Maddi said, “I am particularly interested in Chartered Surveying and have applied for several apprenticeships as well as Real Estate management at University in the hope of entering the property industry in the future.  I realised that one of the companies I had previously applied to were giving a talk.  In the Q&A session, following the presentation given by Georgia Kirby-Watt from Strutt and Parker, I was able to let her know that although I realised that their apprenticeship opportunity was very competitive, with only two spaces available, I had applied.  Georgia kindly invited me to undertake work experience with the company leading to a possible placement for the five year apprenticeship!  I’m just so grateful to the College and Grainger for this amazing opportunity that has given me another possible career progression route.”

Jennifer Upstill, Community Development Manager at Wellesley, Grainger Plc, was delighted with the event stating, “Grainger is passionate about widening the diversity of its workforce, not just in gender and race, but also in the routes people have taken to reach us.”

Christine Eustace, Director of Community Engagement at the College commented, “I am so pleased that this relatively small but extremely worthwhile event was so successful.  It really does showcase the fact that although we are a large college, we focus in on the individual interests and needs of our students”.