Nottingham City Homes (NCH) and their partners Woodhead Group are encouraging more women into the construction industry by delivering a series of inspiring women in construction events across Nottingham. NCH have been running the successful women in construction initiative for a number of years.
To provide an even greater insight into the industry the Woodhead Group have joined forces with NCH to showcase the diverse range of office and site based career paths. The free, women-led event took place at the Meadows, Nottingham where twenty new two bedroom homes are being built.
12 participants had the chance learn more about the industry from professionals who shared their experience in construction.
The day concluded with talks from the Woodhead Group’s Managing Director, Teresa Westwood, Construction Apprentice, Emily Wilde, Health and Safety Manager, Kerri Grocock and Quantity Surveyor, Shanice Wallace. The event was also supported by a strong contingent from NCH. Plasterer Maria Copeland and NCH Apprentice Electrician Natalie Lafond also gave talks that wrapped up the day.
Tolumor, a NCH tenant, who attended the event said “the talks woke up the sleeping giant in me. Yesterday, I saw them as speakers. Now, it is a different ball game. Whilst I talked with them individually, they became mentors. They were very helpful and willing to give me the extra boost I needed in pursuing a career in Construction.”
Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at Nottingham City Homes, said: “We are very keen to employ local people at Nottingham City Homes. As a country, we have a skills shortage as a whole in the construction sector and we need to engage more with that half of the working population for a solution.
“Events like this are a great way for women to come and see what construction is all about, and the variety of jobs available. We have more women joining our workforce directly because of Women in Construction.”
Shanice, a former primary school teacher at a school in Eastwood now works as a Quantity Surveyor on the Building a Better Nottingham Programme for the Woodhead Group whist studying.
She said “having been personally inspired by a three month work experience placement at Nottingham City Homes to further my career in construction it has been a real privilege to help set up the event.”
The events are part of NCH’s wider project, Building Skills for Construction which is funded by Construction Skills Fund (CITB/DfE). Additional training and support will link women to construction related roles in Nottingham as a part of that project.
The Women in Construction events form part of a longstanding partnership between the Woodhead Group and NCH which has delivered 164 homes in Nottingham to date.
The next session will run on Tuesday 10 December 2019. To find out more about the programme please contact Lesley Wolf in the Employability team at Nottingham City Homes on 07904583937 or email [email protected].