CELEBRATING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Women comprise only 11% of people working in construction and accordingly are under-represented in all positions, from tradespeople to the board of directors. Powerday is representative of this, with 27 female employees making up 11% of total staff and 44% of office staff, but we want to be at the forefront of change in our industry.

Last summer, Liam Kearney (Managing Director). Tara Crossan (Head of Marketing & Communications), Charlotte Bones (HR & People Advisor) and Shelly Purcell (Sales Coordinator) started the Women Into Construction gender diversity programme Moving On Up. The 12-month course of training and support events is designed to help the progression of woman in construction in London. There is no quick fix but at the end of the programme, we will have created and begun delivering an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy that promotes and encourages women at Powerday and begins to address the gender imbalance in our business.

We recognize that there is a lot of work to be done, not only as a company, but as an industry. And we are determined to make a difference. Hear from Charlotte Bones who tells us about her journey into the construction industry and why it is so important to shine a light on this topic.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

I think it’s an important day because we get to celebrate women’s achievements. Everyday women achieve great things but there is still not gender equality globally so this is a great day to highlight this issue.

How can we encourage more women to pursue a career in construction?

Construction has always been prominently a male industry, we are now in 2023 and women are making huge strides in all industries, science, politics and even construction. The construction world is so much more than bricks and mortar it is a world of education.

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

Best piece of advice, always believe you can succeed, and life is too short to do a job you hate.

What is the most important message you want to send out to young women? 

Do not plod along, aim high but make sure you have a good work/life balance.  

Is there anyone who has inspired you throughout your career?

My Mother, she has a great work ethic and been a great inspiration; she knows how to balance everything, at times I know I need to do that better.

Why do you think equity and diversity in the workplace is so important?

It is vital we are all treated equally as someone with a disability I am an advocate of this. Equality and diversity bring so many benefits to organisations, different opinions, and ways of doing something and thinking, we can learn so much.

If you could have lunch with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

This is a tough question,  Harper Lee, as one of my favourite books is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. The former Queen Elizabeth II to really know what it was like to be Head of State. Margaret Thatcher, taking out of politics she was the first female Prime Minister and longest serving in the 20^th Century.