Claudia scaling new heights at Crossing
Claudia Ferguson has swapped bars for poles in her role at Sunderland’s New Wear Crossing.
The 23-year-old, from Sunderland, has become one of only a handful of female scaffolders in the country and one of only two in the North East.
Claudia was working at The Dolphin pub, in Farringdon, and studying photography as part of an Art and Design degree, when she got chatting to the team at Interlink Scaffolding Ltd (ISL), including Managing Director Darren Maratty.
“I had never even thought about scaffolding as a career until then,” said Claudia.
“I’m quite a girly girl and was focused on becoming a photographer, but I really enjoyed hearing about what they were doing and thought it sounded interesting.
“I asked how I could get into it, and they took me on. They told me that hardly any girls worked as scaffolders but that there was no reason why I couldn’t be a success. I have never looked back since.
“In the beginning, I think some of the team thought I would only last two weeks, but I was determined to prove that I could do it.
“I’m constantly covered in bruises and I’m always dressed in my scruffs for work, but I couldn’t think of anything else I would rather be doing.”
Darren said: “I think it was a bit daunting for Claudia at first, especially being the only female, but to her credit she has come through and is a big part of our team. We are all proud of her.”