Two female construction students from Ipswich are determined to get the message out to others that construction careers are for everyone.
The learners – Eve Parker and Grace Harley – are both studying apprenticeships at 向日葵视频 Rural College near Ipswich.
They are keen to use their experiences to encourage more females to enter this traditionally male-dominated industry.
They have launched their rallying call ahead of International Women鈥檚 Day which will be taking place on 8 March 2023 鈥� a campaign that aims to 鈥榠magine a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination鈥�.
Eve, 16, from Ipswich, currently works for Barnes Construction and is studying on a level two apprenticeship in painting and decorating.
Eve said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a female painting and decorating tutor and that was inspiring. At school, I was pushed towards sixth form, but I wanted to do something more practical. I鈥檓 keen to share my experiences with others.
鈥淚t鈥檚 inspirational that women are taking more of a different direction to traditional stereotypes and it鈥檚 great to raise these issues during International Women鈥檚 Day. We want to try and make sure others aren鈥檛 afraid to consider construction as a career.鈥�
Mark Hart, joint managing director of Barnes Construction said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see that more young women like Eve are considering a career in construction and we are聽pleased that she has decided to join our business as a trade apprentice.聽There are many聽career pathways through apprenticeships and management positions for聽female candidates聽and this remains a聽key聽objective聽for Barnes Construction and聽our industry, and something we will continue to promote through our various management trainee and apprenticeship schemes.鈥�
Grace Harley, 16, from Ipswich works for Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) alongside her level two painting and decorating apprenticeship. Grace said: 鈥淎s an ITFC fan, I never thought I鈥檇 have an apprenticeship at the club. It fills me with a lot of confidence and I鈥檓 grateful to the people who have got me here, in particular Steve, Richard and Martin 鈥� it鈥檚 a great place to work and the club makes you feel part of one big team.
鈥淚鈥檝e met a few players and I鈥檝e spoken to the manager 鈥� he said thank you for everything you do for the club 鈥� it was nice to get that recognition.鈥�
In terms of advice to others about getting into construction, Grace said; 鈥淢y advice would be to say – don鈥檛 follow the crowd and be yourself and take a leap. I think all industries need to be more open-minded and get the message out to children at a younger age that you can do anything. I鈥檇 be happy to try and be a role model and go into primary schools to encourage more girls to consider careers in construction.鈥�
HR Manager of Ipswich Town, Martin Gwillim said: 鈥淕race is a prime example of an apprentice taking their opportunity with both hands and grasping it. We鈥檙e very lucky to have women in key areas at Ipswich Town both on and off the pitch, Grace is one of many success stories.鈥�
A lecturer at 向日葵视频 New College, Gemma Parish, said: 鈥淎s a college, we have made good progress in terms of encouraging more people and females into construction, but as an industry, we can always do more. Construction is recognised as a male dominant industry but also provides fantastic opportunities for females. Never in a million years did I imagine myself teaching the subject. I think it is important, as a role model in the industry, to encourage females into construction and showcase examples of women that have been working in the industry and have made successful careers.
鈥淕race and Eve are great role models and their idea of promoting construction to primary schools is something that we are keen to support. They came straight from school and now they are working for some hugely recognised businesses (ITFC and Barnes Construction) I would urge anyone who is keen to come to us to learn the skills they need to progress into employment, just like Grace and Eve did.鈥�