Supporting National Careers Week and Women in Construction

This week is the celebration of National Careers Week along with National Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day. 

National Careers Week aims to empower young people to make informed choices about their next steps. Making sure they are getting the best career advice and information possible.

National Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day, help recognise and celebrate the women who work in the predominately male-dominated construction industry. As well as a day to uphold the achievements of women and acknowledge the challenges they face.

We recognise that our industry is experiencing a skill shortage, and therefore it is vital that we create career paths to continue developing a strong, thriving workforce for the future.

Now has never been more important to address the skills shortage and together play our part in encouraging more people to consider a career in construction. 

Attracting young people, especially women, to a career in this industry is difficult. Often due to the lack of broad awareness around the variety of roles available.

Therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to not only highlight careers in construction. But to also celebrate women in construction.

So, in light of this week’s celebrations, we’re highlighting the achievements of the women working in our training centre and showcasing the important work they do.

We currently have a team of four women working in our training centre, who help deliver regular high quality industry training. Each one of them play a key role in the success of the business.

Find out a little more about each of their roles and accomplishments throughout their careers below.

Meet Emily, our Training Administration Manager:

Emily initially studied at Nottingham Trent University, graduating with a 2:1 in Psychology with Sociology. But in 2014 she started her first role in the construction training industry as an administrator. And has since then challenged herself and developed her skills over the years working her way up to two managerial positions.

Over the years Emily has also obtained various qualifications including, Level 3 Award in Education & Training, Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Advice, and Guidance and also became a registered Mental Health First Aider.

Now Emily has over nine years of experience working within the construction training industry, dedicating her time to progressing in her career. Emily is now overseeing an administrative team of employees and is a key figure in ensuring efficient office operations in the training centre.

Meet Danica, our Training Centre Co-Ordinator:

Danica’s career also started out a little differently. In 2014 Danica graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a First-Class Honours Degree in Childhood studies. During this time, she went to YMCA International Kindergarten in Hong Kong to work with young children and learn about the different culture.

Then in 2016, her career aspirations changed, joining the construction industry as a Training Centre Co-Ordinator.

She has now been working in the construction industry for just over six years and has supported the training centre through various aspects since 2019. This includes planning, creating, and implementing training courses for each division/department in line with business needs.

As well as scheduling and maintaining training records, monitoring budget expenditure and supporting with exam invigilation.

Meet Ellie, our Training Centre Co-Ordinator:

Originally Ellie went to college to study beauty, where she worked in a salon for two years. However, she shortly realised a career in the beauty industry wasn’t something she wanted to pursue.

When seeking a new role, she found a Finance Administrator position with a Construction Training Provider, which was the beginning of her career in the construction industry.

With just over four years’ experience in the industry, she decided to put her skills and knowledge into practice elsewhere. Where she then joined Van Elle’s training department and has now successfully progressed to Training Co-ordinator for the Rail division.

Currently, her role includes assisting with training needs for Rail, Strata and Specialist Piling divisions. Primarily supporting the Rail division she ensures that everyone has up-to-date tickets and generates Track Visitor Permits.

Meet Keeley, our Training Administrator:

Keeley has worked for Van Elle for just over eight years and progressed through various roles within the company. From HR & Training Administrator, PA to the Senior Group Director and now a Training Administrator for Van Elle Construction Training.

Keeley is responsible for providing administrative support in the management of the Training Centre, to ensure the effective running of training courses held at the facilities. This includes support in the coordination of card renewals or booking training for employees and delegates when requested.

Just recently Keeley completed her training and was the first woman to drive our JCB Loading Shovel for the NPORS Plant Machinery Marshall testing. This means she is now able to support the training centre in putting more people through their courses and testing.

If you are a woman looking to get into construction, we hope this highlights that within this industry you can start from anywhere. Just like the team of hardworking women here at the training centre.

As a training provider ourselves we aim to provide support to women working or wishing to work in the construction industry, by assisting in providing training to both upskill and reduce skills gaps, creating a more skilled gender-equal workforce.

So, if you are looking to work in the construction industry, please don’t hesitate to contact our training team and start your training today!

Visit National Careers Week for more career guidance.