Constructor is building opportunities for women to thrive in industry
A DERBYSHIRE construction company says it is bucking the national trend by employing a disproportionately high number of women on one of its new home sites.
Wildgoose Construction currently has eight female staff and a female apprentice working on its Wildgoose Homes’ development in Marston Montgomery, making up about half of all its workers there.
They work in estimating, marketing, design and build, accounts, contracts, joinery and customer service.
Overall, Wildgoose Construction employs 90 people from its base in Alfreton.
It was launched in 1896 by the great-grandfather of the current chairman and continues to be one of the oldest and biggest family-owned construction companies in the region.
Rebecca Williams, sales and marketing assistant at Wildgoose Homes, is involved from pre-development to owner handover on the Marston Montgomery site.
She said: “I am proud to be a woman in construction, I feel it is a profession younger women need to know they can be involved in.
“There are so many avenues to go down, not just bricklaying – more information is needed during career days in school and work experience for women in the construction industry.”
Laura Harcourt, vice-chairman at Wildgoose Construction, said: “I am extremely pleased that we have so many wonderful women in our business.
“I have had boardroom experience for 30 years with me being the only female on the board.”
Charlotte Brogan, design and build manager for Wildgoose Construction, said: “Jonathan Wildgoose has a passion to ensure equality within the Wildgoose brand and encourages the employment of women in more site-based roles.
“I find this to be very refreshing as I have found as a woman in construction that I have to work harder and be more confident in myself to make myself known in my field.”
Andrew Tilford, Wildgoose Construction’s managing director, said there was a drive in the company to attract more women and under-represented groups into construction. That includes a number of family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
He said: “Our message is that we invest in our staff, as they invest their talent with us. Our aim is to develop our brand as an employer of choice in the marketplace and offer assurance that we go ‘over and above’ with regard to equality and support in the workplace.
“When compared across the construction sector, our enhanced benefits are extremely competitive and reflect the company’s commitment to retaining a diverse and talented team to support our business objectives.
“Having a diverse workforce ensures that the company optimises representation from an inclusive network and that we can gain insight to a variety of opinions, viewpoints and perspectives.
“All employees are trained in equality and diversity.
“Our culture is one of support, and all the team at Wildgoose are quick to share their knowledge and support to help anyone progress and meet their goals.”
Women employed by Wildgoose are encouraged to support work experience, attend career events, undertake workshops and give presentations to students.
Mr Tilford said: “The concept is to show young people that a career in construction is rewarding, offering sustainable long-term employment, is safe and suitable for everyone.”
I am proud to be a woman in construction, it is a profession younger women need to know they can be involved in. Rebecca Williams