International Women’s Day 2021

Happy International Women’s Day.

A day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women both social, economic, cultural and political, whilst also raising awareness of the work still needed in terms of gender equality. With over 100 years of history this day gives everyone the chance to truly make a positive difference for women everywhere.

Construction is a traditionally male dominated industry, with a history of perpetuating gender-based misconceptions that sadly persevere to this day. However, many individual companies are doing great work promoting women within their workforce, and there is evidence that progress has been made in addressing these issues, but it remains clear that much more still needs to be done.

One key weapon in the fight to equality is the highlighting of women within construction at all levels, and like many other companies and publications today we seek to feature the opportunities that are available and promote the success stories that we have witnessed.

To that end we spoke to Contract Manager, Jenny Pape, to hear first hand about her career and experience within the world of construction.

Jenny’s Story

“It’s historically a male-orientated industry - I was one of two females in my degree year, which is a ratio that has followed through into working.

Joining the construction industry wasn’t a necessarily a conscious decision, I chose my degree as I enjoyed making, designing and understanding processes.

My first post grad role was a project management and CAD hybrid; focusing on high-end, bespoke and one-off projects in the commercial and domestic sectors.

Through this position I gained experience of working with main contractors, which gave an insight as to the size of projects and material disciplines I could be involved with.

My role grew with the company, when I left I was managing a team of 4 project managers.

I joined Thorpes in 2019, in a return to my joinery background as a draughtswoman. I soon changed role and went back into project management.

Positive Changes

Gender in the workplace is a delicate subject but it is a conversation which has rightfully become more popular.

It is hard to comment on experience without having a negative connotation, but in recent years I’m much less often mistaken as the receptionist, or side lined in favour of a male counterpart.

Choose to Challenge is a great initiative, it’s only through challenging our current thinking that we make way for change, and make change a priority. There are definitely more women in the industry than when I joined, which has had a positive impact on the workplace. When choosing an industry or career, I don’t think gender is the barrier it once was.

So whilst there are always areas for improvement, I think the industry is heading in a very positive direction and I’d personally like to believe that people are in the positions they are based on skills rather than gender, and that goes both ways.

Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and I think we’re starting to see less presumptions as to what they may be based on gender.

As is true across all industries, no one person can be better than the team that surrounds them!”

Want to learn more?

To find out more about International Women’s Day 2021 head to their website here.