Construction – so much more than you think

Go Construct is committed to changing perceptions about the construction industry, and reflecting the reality that it is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment in which to work. Over time we have heard from people from within the industry who have told us their stories of what construction is really like.

What do you think when you hear the word construction?

If we asked this question to random members of the public, some people may still talk about a masculine environment, wolf-whistling and it being a messy, dangerous place to work.

However, as many contributors to Go Construct over the years have said, modern, large-scale construction is cleaner, safer and more diverse than they expected. Yes, you may still get a bit muddy if you're on-site and it rains (there’s not much that can be done about that!) but you'll also be involved in dynamic, exciting projects. Every day will be different and there will be challenges aplenty.

Seeing the bigger picture

In 2015 we asked Lexi Pares, a graduate engineer with the Kier Group, about her experiences and how different they were from her initial preconceptions.

“My first real experience of construction was during my second year of university when I visited Terminal 2B at Heathrow Airport. After a year of studying design management I had a greater appreciation of how complex projects were,” said Lexi.

“Our studies had covered everything from the basic physics of structures to the history of architecture to how to manage, build and lead teams of different people. This was the first time I had seen what that meant on a real site and it was by no means a small project!

“These people had to work together to create a building that not only worked but met the cost and quality requirements and was delivered on time for the client. It was the first time that it really sunk in for me that there was so much more to construction than the building work that we see as we walk down the street.”

Lexi went on to become a Design Manager and Project Manager with Kier.

“So much more than I ever imagined”

Penny Anderson has worked as an Education and Community Co-ordinator and Community Engagement Manager with the BAM Group and now works as Head of Social Value at the construction company Akerlof. When she started out in the industry she had all the usual misconceptions about what goes on in construction – the dirty building sites, the “sorry for the inconvenience” signs and the negative male attitudes towards women such as wolf-whistling.

“I had no idea that I would look back and see that I had been involved in some of the most high-profile building sites in the UK, met the Queen twice, and helped to inspire hundreds of amazing young people to get into great careers.

“I've worked with organisations like the University of Manchester, The Co-Op, Manchester Airport Group, Manchester City Football Club and numerous councils and schools, but most of all work with some truly inspiring people.” 

“I built that”

There’s one line you hear a lot from people who have worked in the construction industry for a couple of years or more. When they say it for the first time, it fills them with pride. The line is "I built that.”

That is what is so great about construction – everyone plays their part. One person can’t build something alone – quite the opposite, there are hundreds of people involved in a construction project from planning and design through to project management, the construction process itself, the commissioning and getting the building to actually function and do what it is intended to do.

“I built that” encompasses what the construction industry does well – it gets people to work together and recognise that the part they play is a crucial one.

Giving back

In Penny’s various roles in construction, there has been one unifying theme.  

She has the responsibility of ensuring that a construction project gives something back to the local community, whether it is a school or a football academy. This might be through offering unemployed people training, helping people get into work, going into schools to talk about careers in construction or helping a local community group or charity.

One thing Penny is passionate about for anyone who is thinking about getting into construction is to get some work experience. 

“A lot of work experience gets some nasty press but so many people come into the industry this way. It gives both parties a chance to see how each other gets on. I have seen so many people come on placement, love it, get a job or return a year or two later and apply for a job – that’s students and older people alike.

“As an industry, we need people who want to be a part of this great sector to come and find out and bring their passion for learning and new experiences with them.

“Ultimately, my original misconceptions have proved to be just that. More women need to come and find out for themselves and add a new dimension to construction to help make it an even stronger industry.