This Women in Construction Week (1st to 7th March) and International Women’s Day (8th March), regional homebuilder Allison Homes is helping to inspire women, with an aim to diversify the construction industry.
Women in Construction (WIC) Week is a nationwide initiative that recognises the achievements of women working in the sector, and International Women’s Day (IWD) is focused on raising awareness of discrimination and advocating for gender equality. This year, the IWD theme is ‘Give to Gain’, encouraging people to give support through donations, sharing knowledge or providing training.
In support of these campaigns, Allison Homes invited employees to offer their best pieces of advice, both to women already in the industry and those considering a new career path.
One employee sharing her experience of the housebuilding sector is Dani Oleksow‑Bunten, Technical Co-ordinator in Allison Homes’ Central region.
Dani said: “Growing up, I always loved houses and looking at different layouts on Rightmove. I thought I wanted to go into a design-based role, until I completed work experience and realised Technical Co-ordinator was even a possibility.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve experienced in the industry has been walking into rooms or onto sites where I was the only woman. Quite early in my career I sometimes felt the pressure to prove myself before I even had a chance to speak, but now instead of focusing on whether I belong, I focus on the value I bring to the table.
“Encouraging women into construction is incredibly important. When women see other women leading projects, running companies or managing sites, it expands what feels possible. Women in construction isn’t about filling quotas, it’s about building a smarter and more resilient industry. The more diverse the voices around the table, the better the outcome is for everyone.”
As part of her call to see more women in construction, Dani shared her advice to inspire those considering or entering the sector.
She continued: “The best piece of advice I’ve been given in my career is don’t wait until you feel 100 per cent ready, say yes and grow into it. Growth rarely happens in your comfort zone, so challenges should be seen as development, not risk.
“My advice to any women joining construction is firstly, remember you absolutely belong here. You are stepping into an industry that quite literally shapes communities and futures. There will be moments where you may be the only woman in a room, but never shrink, always stand tall. Be bold, be prepared and be resilient, the industry is stronger with you in it.”
John Anderson, CEO of Allison Homes, said: “At Allison Homes, we strive to foster a diverse and collaborative workplace, where people feel supported, heard and able to openly share their views.
“Currently 35 per cent of our team are women, with six women being in Director roles and two in Head of Department roles. We are always looking for ways to inspire women to join our exciting world, including recently hiring more women apprentices, and will continue to hold ourselves to high standards as we advocate for more diversity across the construction industry.”
Allison Homes Central, headquartered in Peterborough, is building new communities in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
For more information on Allison Homes and starting a career with the housebuilder, visit https://allison-homes.co.uk/careers/.
To find out more about Women In Construction Week and International Women’s Day, head to https://nawic.org/wic-week/ and https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.
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