Women in construction
Name: Katie Holt
Grade: Non-member
Location: South West
Job title: Business Development Manager
Company: The Survey Association
Can you share your journey and experiences as a woman in the construction industry. What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
My career started by studying civil engineering. My grandad was a civil engineer and was involved in the design of Mulberry Harbour using pre-stressed concrete, which was his speciality. For myself I wanted something combining the subjects I was studying at A level with something a bit more practical. I really liked the idea of being able to see what I was involved in creating.
I had an experience while I was studying my A levels of two men carrying out a mock interview and them questioning why a woman would want to go into civil engineering. I think this pushed me towards the feeling that I wanted to show people that there’s no reason why a woman shouldn’t study engineering. At this stage there were initiatives to encourage women into science and engineering and it’s a bit disappointing that these initiatives are still needed, but there are loads of great initiatives going on and things are beginning to change.
Having worked in civil engineering design for a while I moved away from the technical role, but I am still very passionate about the opportunities within construction and have worked within roles where I am still able to encourage everyone to get involved. I have been fortunate to be involved with various groups focussing on promoting the opportunities within construction, such as the Construction Industry Council and the Construction Leadership Council.
What initiatives have you have been involved in to support and encourage the next generation?
My current role allows me to be involved in various initiatives to encourage the next generation and to improve skills, education and training within surveying. I have worked within the trailblazer group for the geospatial apprenticeships, to develop the standard and ensure that it will meet the needs of trainee surveyors and their organisations. I see this as a vital route into surveying and it’s great to be in a position to promote the apprenticeships and to encourage students and organisations to take the opportunities the apprenticeships offer.
I am also working with organisations and colleges to help support colleges offering surveying qualifications, particularly the design surveying and planning T level, which is a relatively new qualification that students can study instead of A levels and I also see this as a great opportunity for companies to take on trainees who have studied this T level and already know some basic surveying skills, who can then develop within the company.
I have also been fortunate to work with Get Kids Into Survey and Class Of Your Own on their fantastic support of children and young people to encourage them to consider careers in surveying and construction. By working together and amplifying the messages we can all help to encourage the next generation of surveyors. I also support members with resources for them to go into schools, colleges and careers fairs and carry out activities, demonstrations and talks all spreading the message about the amazing careers available within the sector.
What excites you about construction and surveying?
I have always loved construction sites – it’s so exciting to see something being constructed from nothing. I am pleased to say my son’s first word was ‘digger’ – we spent many happy hours with the pushchair watching construction sites when he was a child. Sadly, he hasn’t gone into construction, but I am glad to be helping others with information to allow them to progress their careers in surveying and construction.
I also have fond memories myself of university summer holiday jobs, including working on Canary Wharf when it was first being developed.
Have you seen any support for women in construction to aid retention?
There is a lot of great work going on around mentoring and support programmes that companies are initiating, to help support women in construction and to aid retention, particularly when women have children. I’m glad to be involved in the CICES Women’s Network and the work that’s being done to support women who may not have the support within their organisations.
I was also proud to have been involved in the setting up of the CICES EDI Council, which the Women’s Network has grown out of. I am still involved in various initiatives to encourage others into the profession and supporting them once they are working within surveying. There are numerous studies that show the importance of diversity within construction, so we all need to do what we can to look after staff and help with retention.
Currently, in my new role at TSA, I am enjoying working as part of a genuine meritocracy, with a more diverse council and women increasingly putting themselves forward for senior roles and being supported to do so by their employers.
My feeling is that we need more joined up working, led by the overarching construction bodies to come up with a campaign that all the professions can get behind to spread the word wider about both career options and diversity within the professions and to give a consistent message to all young people, and their parents and teachers.